Aussies troops 'not helping Iraq surge'

[Barrett808]

Source: AAP

A FORMER director of the Government's Iraq Task Force has questioned the effectiveness of leaving Australian troops in areas of marginal strategic importance in Iraq.

Anthony Bubalo, who is now at the Sydney-based Lowy Institute for International Policy, said the Government should consider sending Australian troops to join the major US "surge" against insurgents in Baghdad. About 110 Australian troops are based in dangerous Baghdad protecting officials but the main 550 strong Overwatch Battle Group is in somewhat safer southern Iraq.

"You've got to wonder – given our troops are not participating in the surge... in Baghdad or other high conflict areas – what actual contribution we're making," Mr Bubalo told The Bulletin magazine.

He said Australia should be looking at how to do more in Iraq, given that the US surge is considered by some as a last ditch attempt to stabilise Iraq as speculation continues that a Republican backlash may prompt US President George W. Bush to draw down his forces.

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