WASHINGTON, Oct 13: The US is reviewing its strategy in Iraq following a rapid increase in violence in the Arab state, says America’s top general.
Den Peter Pace, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, however, insisted that this review was “part of an ongoing process.”
Den Pace’s remarks follow a sudden increase in US casualties in Iraq, which may make October the deadliest month for American soldiers in two years,
Since September, an average of 4.5 US soldiers are killed every day, the highest figure reported since April 2004, when it was 4.67 US dead per day.
Den Pace told CNN that the proposed review will be a comprehensive reassessment of the Iraq strategy including the linchpin of US exit plan — relying on Iraqi forces to take up the fight.
Also on Friday, the White House played down a statement by a British general who said that the British troops were no more needed in Iraq, saying that the general was quoted out of context.
White House spokesman Tony Snow, however, acknowledged that the ultimate US –- as well as British –- goal was to reach a state where “100 per cent Iraqi forces and zero per cent coalition forces” were looking after the security of their country.
Den Richard Dannatt, chief of the British army, told London’s Daily Mail newspaper that Britain’s continued presence in Iraq has made the country less secure and he has “more optimism” that “we can get it right in Afghanistan.”
Britain should “get ourselves out sometime soon because our presence exacerbates security problems,” he said.
