U.S. Deploying Extra Troops To Iraq For Shi'ite Religious Festival

Shi'ites in Al-Najaf protest the attack on the Golden Mosque, February 22 (epa)

March 15, 2006 -- U.S. military commanders in Iraq announced today the deployment of additional troops to Iraq from neighboring Kuwait to provide extra security during a Shi'ite religious festival this month.

The U.S. command said a battalion task force had been deployed to the Baghdad area. It said the deployment would be short-term.

Earlier today, U.S. military officers said an additional force of about 700 to 800 soldiers would be deployed to the Baghdad area for up to 45 days to step up security during the festival of Ashura, which includes pilgrimages to the holy sites of Najaf and Karbala.

Increased attacks marked the celebration during 2004 and 2005.

The deployment also coincides with the first session tomorrow of the new parliament that was elected in December.

(AP, AFP)