The Pentagon has ordered about 1,250 Marines assigned to train the Afghan security forces to stay an extra month in Afghanistan.
The US Defense Secretary Robert Gates extended the mission of the Marines by 30 days, at the urging of senior military commanders.
Gates had also authorized the deployment of another 200 troops to Afghanistan to support the Marines while they train the Afghan forces to combat insurgents, a senior military official told AP on condition of anonymity on Monday.
The extension of the Marine tours comes as Afghanistan experiences a rising tide of violence. The US and NATO commanders have asked for as many as 10,000 troops to be sent to the region.
The US officials are suggesting a redeployment of troops to Afghanistan from Iraq as there are currently more American casualties in Afghanistan than in Iraq.
NA/MK