U.S. general wants more troops for bloody Iraq province

U.S. general wants more troops for bloody Iraq province

www.cnn.com

I do not have enough soldiers right now in Diyala province to get that security situation moving," said Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon, commander of the 25th Infantry Division.

He said he has been in touch with Gen. Raymond Odierno, the No. 2 U.S. commander in Iraq, about more troops in Diyala, even before the troop escalation that the administration calls a "surge" began in February. He said Odierno has been "providing them over time as they have become available."

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Well well troop numbers in Iraq provides some interesting issues and questions even if you ignore the political feud over funding.
Where would the additional troops come from ?
The problem in the Diyala province is classic in terms of counter insurgency warfare once one area is cleared out the enemy goes. elsewhere.

How will will it help if US troops are taken from other regions in Iraq and put into Diyala ?

Will any improvement in the security situation rely on increased numbers in local security forces in the region ?

What effect would the sometimes less then reliable local security forces have on the region or put another way would local security forces be able to cope in Diyala ?

The troop surge hasn't been as effective as it could have been to due the build up of US troops being gradual. There is no use robbing Tom to pay Paul in terms putting more US troops into Diyala to improve the security situation. It is also less then smart to give the enemy time to adapted by only applying pressure gradually.

www.cnn.com
(visit the link for the full news article)