3,500 from Benning to leave Iraq in weeks ahead

3,500 from Benning to leave Iraq in weeks ahead
By Bradley Brooks - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday May 7, 2008 6:27:20 EDT

BAGHDAD — About 3,500 American soldiers who were part of last summer’s troop “surge” are scheduled to leave Iraq in the coming weeks, the U.S. military said.

The soldiers, part of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, will re-deploy to Fort Benning, Ga., according to a statement released late Monday. The U.S. sent some 30,000 additional troops into Iraq last summer to help stem growing violence.

Those troops, along with the rise of Sunni fighters who allied with the U.S. and began battling al-Qaida and a truce called by a key Shiite militia, were credited with a sharp decline in violence during the last 10 months.

The soldiers are part of the third of five “surge” brigades scheduled to re-deploy. The other two are expected to return to the U.S. by the end of July.

“The continued drawdown of surge brigades demonstrates continued progress in Iraq,” Brig. Gen. Dan Allyn said in the statement. “After July, commanders will assess our security posture for about 45 days and determine future force requirements based on these conditions-based assessments.”


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/05/ap_leaveiraq_050608/