WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- The United States has reduced its military force in Iraq by about 20,000 since the war's end, officials told World Tribune.com.
U.S. officials said that in the last four months the soldiers have been replaced by a new international division led by Poland.
Gen. Peter Pace, vice-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the U.S. force level in Iraq has been reduced from 150,000 at the end of the war in June to 130,000. Pace said the number of soldiers from U.S. allies has gone from 12,000 to 24,000.
The greatest increase in the number of non-U.S. troops is the newly reconstituted Iraqi military, police and civil defense forces, Middle East Newsline reported. Officials said 32 countries have contributed forces to Iraq, and an additional 14 countries are discussing sending troops.
U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said the United States wants to organize another international division of up to 15,000 troops. Rumsfeld said a U.N. resolution on Iraq might persuade countries to contribute to the effort.
