U.S. Sends an Additional 120,000 Men to Iraq

The United States is going to reinforce its military strength largely in preparation for the large-scale ground war currently underway in south-central Iraq.

In addition to the 4th Infantry Division which is to join the ground war soon, the U.S. Department of Defense has clarified on the 28th, the 9th day since the war, that they are going to add about 100,000 mechanized infantry troops to prepare for the prolonged war. When the reinforcement of the military power is completed, around 210,000 U.S. infantrymen will start a new operation in Iraq.

Following the placement of the 1,000 men from the 173rd Airborne Brigade on the outside of Kirkuk, the U.S. sent extra military equipment along with 200 paratroopers to the northern oil field zone, on March 28.

Allied forces fired and dropped 600 missiles and bombs on the Iraqi Republican Guard Corps located in the outskirts of Baghdad on the night of the 27th to dawn the next day.

However, there has been fierce fighting in the southern and central regions of Iraq due to strong resistance by the Iraqi regular army and militia.

“We have captured some American soldiers near Najaf,” said Iraqi Information Minister Mohammad Saeed al-Sahaf.

UPI Communications reported that allied forces have drastically revised military operations to ‘seize the southern and northern front lines and proceed to Baghdad’.

Today, President Saddam Hussein appeared on Iraqi national TV twice and encouraged strong determination among the Iraqi resistance.

“No matter how long it takes, we will continue the war until we have victory,” said President George W. Bush, at a press conference held after his meeting with Prime Minister Tony Blair at Camp David in Maryland.

In the meantime, the Iraqi Ministry of Health reported that 350 Iraqis were killed and about 4,000 were injured in one week since the war. According to AP Communications, 26 Americans and 22 British soldiers were killed and 8 American soldiers are missing in action as of the 27th.

sechepa@donga.com