Pentagon Okays Extra 2,000 Iraq Troops
By Associated Press | March 8, 2007
BAGHDAD, Iraq— The Pentagon has approved a request by the new American commander in Iraq for an extra 2,200 military police to help deal with an anticipated increase in detainees during the Baghdad security crackdown, Defense Secretary Gates said yesterday. Mr. Gates also cited early indications that the Iraqi government is meeting the commitments it made to bolster security.
Meanwhile, a suicide attacker blew himself up in a café northeast of the capital yesterday, killing 30 people as a wave of violence left 90 Iraqis dead throughout the country. The bloodshed persisted as Iraqi security forces struggled to protect more than 1 million Shiite pilgrims streaming toward the holy city of Karbala for annual religious rituals that begin Friday.
