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| Big Iraq pullout seen next year |
| Monday, April 04, 2005 |
Sources say most U.S. troops out by February as terror attacks down, base closings begin
Much of the U.S. military force in Iraq will be withdrawn within a year, says a report published yesterday in Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin.
Many bases will be closed down by June under plans now being made in vulnerability assessments by the U.S.-led coalition, according to sources of the premium, online intelligence newsletter published by the founder of WND.
Even more bases are targeted for closure by next fall, the sources say. And by February 2006, a big portion of the U.S. force in Iraq will be withdrawn under current plans.
The secret plans for early withdrawal are bolstered by the sharp reduction in terrorist attacks, which have fallen dramatically since the Jan. 30 elections. The number of U.S. deaths reported in March was the lowest in a year.
Terrorists are now focusing their attacks on Iraqi government and security officials as the new leaders of the country assume a greater role in the fragile nation.
Both U.S. and Iraqi officials agree that attacks overall have fallen since the Jan. 30 elections, although it is unclear if the trend is just a temporary lull as terrorists change tactics, or a sign that the insurgency is weakening.
"After Fallujah, and with all the weapons caches we keep finding and destroying, its getting fairly calm," said one G2 Bulletin intelligence source inside Iraq. "The international Zone hasn't had a rocket since December."
The change was apparent after the elections, with the number of U.S. soldiers killed dropping from 58 in February to 30 in March -- the lowest monthly death toll since 20 American soldiers were killed in February 2004.
Military sources tell G2B U.S. forces could begin coming home in significant numbers if insurgent violence is low through general elections scheduled for the end of the year.
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posted by J.R. @ 3:32:00 PM   |
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