Military to raise Iraq troop levels to record highs to feather September report

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WASHINGTON -- The number of U.S. troops in Iraq could jump to 171,000 this fall -- a record high for the war -- as military leaders expect stepped-up insurgent attacks timed to a progress report from American commanders in Baghdad.

Army Lt. Gen. Carter Ham, director for operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Thursday the planned rotations of five brigades moving out of Iraq and their replacements coming in will create the temporary increase in U.S. forces.

Once the transitions are complete, Ham said the troop level will drop back down to about 162,000, which is where it is today. He said current plans are to stay about at that number into early next year, unless commanders recommend in their report next month a reduction in forces.

"Clearly al-Qaida in Iraq and others are cognizant of the timing of recommendations and decisions," Ham told Pentagon reporters during a briefing. "So I think it is prudent to expect them to try to influence the decision-makers. And clearly, the commanders in the theater are cognizant of that as well."


report: http://www3.whdh.com/news/articles/national/BO60002/