Afghanistan could get 30,000 new US troops

The top US military officer has said that the Pentagon could double the number of American forces in Afghanistan by next summer to 60,000...

The top US military officer has said that the Pentagon could double the number of American forces in Afghanistan by next summer to 60,000 8212; the largest estimate of potential reinforcements ever publicly suggested.

Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said between 20,000 and 30,000 additional US troops could be sent to Afghanistan to bolster the 31,000 already there.

This year has been the deadliest for US forces in Afghanistan since the 2001 invasion to oust the Taliban for hosting al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. Suicide attacks and roadside bombs have become more dangerous, and Taliban fighters have infiltrated wide swaths of countryside and now roam in provinces on Kabul8217;s doorstep.

US commanders have long requested an additional 20,000 troops to aid Canadian and British forces in two provinces just outside Kabul and in the south. But the high end of Mullen8217;s range is the largest number any top US military official has said could be sent to Afghanistan.

Mullen said that increase would include combat forces but also aviation, medical and civilian affairs support troops.

8220;So some 20,000 to 30,000 is the window of overall increase from where we are right now,8221; he told a news conference at a US base in Kabul. 8220;We certainly have enough forces to be successful in combat, but we haven8217;t had enough forces to hold the territory that we clear.8221;

Overall, there are more than 60,000 foreign troops in Afghanistan. Mullen said any increased US deployment would be directly tied to force levels in Iraq, where US commanders are drawing down troops.

Story continues below this ad

8220;The Taliban and extremists are more sophisticated and effective,8221; Mullen said. 8220;They haven8217;t won any battles but they certainly have increased the level of violence, and we8217;re very focused on that. That8217;s why the additional forces are so important, to be able to provide security for the Afghan people so these other areas can be developed.8221;

US officials already have plans to send four ground brigades and an aviation brigade to Afghanistan. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has approved the deployment of the aviation brigade, defence officials told The Associated Press. And 10th Mountain Division forces will deploy next month to two provinces that neighbor Kabul 8212; Wardak and Logar, which have seen an influx of militants over the last year.

Mullen said after the additional US troops are added over the next eight months, only improvements in Afghanistan8217;s governance and economic situation will affect the strength of the insurgency.