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| Iraq |
| Pentagon scraps plans to deploy more troops to Iraq |
| 2009-10-17 |
| Xinhua) -- The Pentagon said on Friday that it has canceled plans to send a 3,500-strong army brigade to Iraq in January due to improved security environment in the country and a stronger Iraqi security force. "The decision was based purely on the improved security environment and the continued improvement in the ability of Iraqi security forces, and is completely unrelated to our operations in Afghanistan," Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said. Whitman made the remarks to dispel speculations that the troops may be redeployed to Afghanistan. The spokesman said the decision to scrap the Iraqi deployment was sanctioned by Defense Secretary Robert Gates and there will be no replacement for the abortive plan. |
| Posted by:Fred |