Number of U.S. GIs in Afghanistan To Rise
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
KABUL, Afghanistan — The number of American troops in Afghanistan is to rise by 3,500 to tackle the expected spring offensive by the Taliban insurgency. Secretary of State Rice also announced last night an extra $10.6 billion in aid for Afghanistan this year.
The 3,500-strong 10th Mountain Division, deployed along the eastern border with Pakistan, is to have its tour of duty extended by four months. The unit was due to have been replaced next month by men from the 82nd Airborne division, who will still be deployed.
The American military has almost 20,000 troops in Afghanistan, accounting for nearly half the total foreign troops. However, with more than 10,000 of those forces limited by their nations’ governments to serving in low-risk areas of the country, yesterday’s announcement is highly significant.
