US military lowers troop figure in Iraq
August 20th, 2010 - 3:53 pm ICT by IANSBaghdad, Aug 20 (DPA) The US military command in Baghdad said Friday that the number of forces still in Iraq was 52,000, lower than the figure given the day before under the final pullout of combat troops.
A figure Thursday was given of 56,000 soldiers still in Iraq. But the military command said that was based on data from Aug 17 and was already out of date.
Under the military drawdown plans, by Sep 1 the US troop strength in Iraq is to be down to 50,000, with their mission to be in supporting and training regular Iraqi forces but not having combat duties.
These US forces are to be withdrawn by the end of 2011. The US military command in Baghdad said the timetable would be strictly adhered to.
Thursday, after the disclosure of the withdrawal of the last combat brigade from Iraq, the US State Department said that it planned to double the number of private security contractors in Iraq to fill the void created by troop pullout.
Spokesman P. J. Crowley said more security personnel will be needed to protect diplomatic and civilian facilities and convoys as the State Department assumes the lead in Iraq from the US military.
“We will still have our own security needs to make sure our diplomats and development experts are well protected,” Crowley said.
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- Last US troops out of Iraq (Lead) - Dec 18, 2011
- U.S. officially ends nearly nine-year-long war in Iraq - Dec 15, 2011
- US Senate confirms Petraeus to lead CIA - Jul 01, 2011
- US defence chief arrives in Iraq - Sep 01, 2010
- US military equipment being moved out of Iraq: Report - Aug 06, 2011
- US' Iraq ambassador sees progress despite bombing - Aug 18, 2010
- US to end Afghan combat operations in 2013 - Feb 03, 2012
- NATO helicopter crashes in southern Afghanistan, killing 11 - Aug 17, 2012
- American Combat Operations In Iraq Ends As U.S. Troops Head Home - Aug 20, 2010
- US officials redraw Iraqi troops training plan - Oct 09, 2011
- 10 die in Baghdad blasts - Sep 05, 2010
- US soldier dies in non-combat incident in Iraq - Jul 19, 2011
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