US mulls withdrawing more troops from Iraq in Sept.

Source: Xinhua  |   2008-7-14  |     ONLINE EDITION

THE Bush administration is reportedly considering the withdrawal of additional combat forces from Iraq in September, the New York Times said yesterday.

One factor in the consideration, the report said, is the pressing need for more troops in Afghanistan, where the insurgent is in the upswing.

Although no decision has been made yet, by the time President George W. Bush leaves office on January 20 next year, at least one and as many as 3 of the 15 combat brigades now in Iraq could be withdrawn or at least scheduled for withdrawal, some US officials said.

The desire to move out troops more quickly from Iraq reflects the view of many in the Pentagon who want to ease the strain on the military but also to free more troops for Afghanistan and potentially other missions.

The most optimistic course of events would still leave 120,000 to 130,000 American troops in Iraq, down from the peak of 170,000 late last year.