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U.S. increases Mosul troop strength
The United States said it had significantly increased troop strength in Mosul to provide security ahead of the Jan. 30 elections for a constitutional assembly. The city has seen stepped-up insurgent attacks on both American and Iraqi forces in the weeks since U.S. troops captured the guerrilla stronghold of Fallujah in mid-November. Two brigade-sized units, consisting of Iraqi forces and elements of the 82nd Airborne Division, were deployed to augment the 8,000 troops already in Mosul, military spokesman Lt. Col. Paul Hastings said. Brigades can include 2,000-4,000 soldiers. "It's just a matter of we want to make sure elections can be conducted and the high level of terrorist activity is eliminated," Hastings said.Posted by: Fred 2005-01-02 |
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