U.S. Force Pulling Back in the North

[radfringe]

U.S. Force Pulling Back in the North
Iraqis Assuming Security Duties, Commander Says
By Vernon Loeb
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, October 23, 2003; Page A27


MOSUL, Iraq, Oct. 22 -- The senior U.S. military commander in northern Iraq said Wednesday that he was beginning to reduce his soldiers' presence in this northern city and turn their security duties over to Iraqi police officers and troops as local government takes root and life slowly returns to normal.

Maj. Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of the 101st Airborne Division, also said he thought it would be possible for the Pentagon to reduce the number of U.S. forces in northern Iraq, without adversely affecting security when fresh forces replace his 20,800 troops in late February or early March.

Petraeus said he was reducing the division's footprint in northern Iraq's largest city by pulling troops out of small camps scattered throughout Mosul and consolidating them at larger bases on the outskirts. This contrasts sharply with recent moves by U.S. commanders to increase troop strength in parts of Baghdad and surrounding areas in response to attacks by groups opposed to the U.S. occupation.

[displacedtexan]

1. Isn't this also known as 'retreating?'

not so shocking and awe-ing.