<%@LANGUAGE="VBSCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> WorldTribune.com: Mobile — Administration warned on U.S. pullout from Iraq

Administration warned on U.S. pullout from Iraq

Thursday, May 14, 2009   E-Mail this story   Free Headline Alerts

WASHINGTON — The United States has been told of early signs of a security breakdown in Iraq.

Officials in the administration of President Barack Obama and members of Congress have expressed concerns that Iraqi security could collapse over the next few months as the U.S. military begins to withdraw. Officials and leading members of Congress have acknowledged that the June 30 deadline for the redeployment of U.S. troops in Iraq was unfeasible.

"Frankly, there's some concern by both the military and the civilians in Iraq, about removing all combat troops [from cities] by June 30 as well as trying to be out in August of next year," Sen. Saxby Chambliss, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said.

On April 20, Chambliss, one of several Republican senators who returned from a tour of Iraq in late April, reported increasing concern that Iraq was not ready to assume security responsibility in wake of a U.S. withdrawal. The Republican from Georgia said the administration has also been examining options.

"So there are good things that are going on there, but there is significant concern that remains in Iraq," Chambliss said.

The Defense Department has assessed that security in Iraq would decline throughout much of 2009. But officials said Baghdad has refused to delay a U.S. troop withdrawal, particularly the redeployment of the U.S. military from Iraqi cities on June 30.

"Are we likely to see the ebb and flow of violence as our posture changes, and as the enemy tries to probe the capabilities of the Iraqi security forces, or demonstrate that they're still relevant? Yes," Deputy Assistant Defense Secretary Colin Kahl told The Associated Press. "I think we are likely to see that. But I don't know that we're anticipating a substantial increase."

The Pentagon said security in Iraq has significantly increased in Iraq since 2007. But officials said Al Qaida has launched a suicide bomb campaign that included daily attacks in such cities as Baghdad and Mosul.

   WorldTribune Home