BAGHDAD, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- U.S. commanders plan to increase significantly the number of soldiers advising Iraqi police commando units, it was reported Friday.

The decision in part is aimed at curtailing abuse that the units are suspected of inflicting on Sunni Arabs, a senior commander told The New York Times, adding he expects formal approval of the plan in a few weeks.

Currently, groups of about 40 U.S. soldiers each are attached to seven of the nine special Iraqi police brigades. Under the new plan, the advisers' total number is expected to be increased by several hundred.

U.S. advisers now accompany commando units as part of the vast effort to train and equip security forces to take over the fight against the insurgency and to maintain order, the Times said.

The increase is seen as a way to exert firmer control over the commando units, which are suspected of carrying out widespread atrocities against civilians in Sunni Arab neighborhoods.