U.S. troops shifts to advisory role in Iraq

Some U.S. combat troops are shifting into advisory positions in Iraq, reflecting a strategic change which is being considered by the White House, The New York Times reported Tuesday.

About 1,000 U.S. soldiers in Baghdad are being transferred from traditional combat roles to serve as trainers and advisers to Iraqi units, according to the newspaper.

Increasing the number of U.S. trainers for the Iraqi military and police is among the recommendations expected on Wednesday from the bipartisan Iraq Study Group, which U.S. President George W. Bush has said he wishes to review before announcing a future course in Iraq.

Gen. John P. Abizaid, the top U.S. commander in the Mideast, told Congress last month that he envisioned doubling the number of American trainers, but senior military officers now say they are drawing up plans that would at least triple the number of troops assigned to training.

At present, the average number of U.S. trainers with Iraqi units are 11 at the battalion level.

The goal is to create platoon-size teams of 20 to 30 trainers for each Iraqi battalion.

Source: Xinhua