Region | Iraq
US military recalls third brigade from Iraq
The US military has recalled a third brigade deployed to Iraq last year to help facilitate an end to sectarian violence in the region, officials said on Monday.
- Agencies
- Published: 11:50 May 6, 2008
Baghdad: The US military has recalled a third brigade deployed to Iraq last year to help facilitate an end to sectarian violence in the region, officials said on Monday.
Around 3,500 soldiers will be returning home over the next several weeks, as part of the military's extensive plan to withdraw the 20,000 troops that comprise the five “surge brigades'' by the end of July.
The 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team was stationed in Baghdad since March 2007 and was charged with stemming the flow of materials for bombs into the capital.
In a statement, the US military said violence in the region had been significantly reduced because of the team's presence, adding that the withdrawal demonstrates progress in Iraq.
Last month, US President George W Bush suspended further troop withdrawals from July, imposing a 45-day freeze on the remaining 140,000 troops.
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