U.S. Brigade to Leave Volatile Region in Effort to Reduce Troops

Oct 17, 07:22 AM

Current Headlines: By ROBERT BURNS

By Robert Burns

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON

Commanders in Iraq have decided to begin the drawdown of U.S. forces in volatile Diyala province, marking a turning point in the U.S. military mission, The Associated Press has learned.

Instead of replacing the 3rd Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division, which is returning to its home base at Fort Hood, Texas, in December, soldiers from another brigade in Salahuddin province nearby will expand into Diyala, broadening its area of responsibility, several officials said Tuesday.

In this way, the number of Army ground combat brigades in Iraq will fall from 20 to 19. This reflects President Bush's bid to begin reducing the U.S. military force and shifting its role away from fighting the insurgency toward more support functions .

The December move, not yet announced by the Pentagon, was described by Col. Stephen Twitty, commander of the 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry, on Tuesday. It was confirmed by three other officials in Iraq .

The idea is to avoid vacating a contested area, like Diyala, which is northeast of Baghdad, while beginning Bush's announced reduction of at least 21,500 troops, of which 17,000 were sent to the Baghdad area last spring.

The shift in Diyala in December could be a model for reductions next year, with a redrawing of the U.S. lines of responsibility so that a departing brigade has its battle space consumed by a remaining brigade. Iraqi security forces would assume greater responsibility.

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