Surge a success? U.S. pours more troops into Diyala

[babylonsister]

US to increase troops in Diyala province
By Kim Gamel
Associated Press Writer / November 24, 2007


BAGHDAD—U.S. military officials said Saturday that the overall number of American troops in Iraq will be reduced by some 5,000 with the withdrawal of a combat brigade from Diyala province. But the number of soldiers in the volatile province will actually increase.

The U.S. command in Baghdad announced earlier this month that the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division had begun heading home to Fort Hood, Texas, and that its area would be taken over by another brigade already operating in Iraq.

Col. David Sutherland, commander of the 3rd Brigade, acknowledged concerns that the withdrawal of U.S. troops could lead to a reversal of a decline in violence but said the transfer of the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, will actually result in more troops in the province northeast of Baghdad.

"Although our redeployment is part of the downgrade of the troops across Iraq, their presence allows more boots on the ground in the province," he said.

Rear Adm. Gregory Smith, a U.S. military spokesman in Baghdad, said the increase would be about 2,400 troops due to repositioning but he stressed that the overall U.S. force in Iraq will be reduced by 5,000.

"What's now being left behind ... is an increase of around 2,400 or so troops available to conduct operations to the commanders now on the ground in Diyala," he said at a joint news conference with Sutherland. "The capability will actually increase in terms of the number of soldiers on the ground in the coming weeks and months."


more...

http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2007/11/24/us_to_increase_troops_in_diyala_province/

[MiniMe]

1. Technically, the "surge" was only to stabalize Baghdad so they could work towards a political

solution. So Diyala would have nothing to do with the surge. Of course, the Iraqi politicians have not moved an inch towards a political solution to things, so in that aspect, the surge is an abysmal failure.

[babylonsister]

2. Well surprise! The US no longer has political goals for IRaq!

Their dialogue seems to come after the fact, on everything. They make their policy based on the situation instead of changing the situation. That's leadership. :eyes:


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2341211&mesg_id=2341211

[SpiralHawk]

3. "Well, profits are surging for my republicon cronies. Smirk." - Commander AWOL

"And if you have been paying attention, then you know that republicon homelander crony war profits is what this whole crusade/surge is really about. Smirk, smirk, smirk."

- Commander AWOL