BAGHDAD, Dec 28 (AFP) - An extra 5,000 US troops have been deployed in Baghdad ahead of January elections, a top US commander said Tuesday, adding that security has been stepped up at all military bases in the capital in the wake of the Mosul bombing.
"We learn and react and we have done that with the Mosul incident," Brigadier General Jeffrey Hammond of the First Cavalry Division told reporters in Baghdad.
A suicide attack one week ago at a US army dining hall on a base in the northern city of Mosul killed 22, including 18 Americans, in the deadliest single attack against the United States in Iraq.
Hammond said that about 2,000 non-US employees and contractors working at the strategic Taji base, northwest of Baghdad, who had previous access to the base, were put through a thorough background check and vetting process after the camp shut down for a few days.
He said other security measures taken at all bases throughout Baghdad include searching all non-US citizens every time they enter places where US soldiers congregate, such as dining halls and other common areas.
In the run-up to the January 30 vote, Hammond said Task Force Baghdad -- which includes about 34,000 US and multinational soldiers and military personnel -- has already been boosted by 5,000 soldiers.
This number is comprised of 3,500 soldiers of the cavalry's 2nd Brigade whose tour of duty was extended after they were scheduled to go home and 1,500 new soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division.
US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said last week that the total number of US troops in Iraq has already been increased to 150,000 from 138,000 for the elections.
"We anticipate more assassinations and car bombs," Hammond said. "We face an evil and pathetic minority that is after one thing: spreading fear to gain power."
Hammond said that the "tipping point" in favour of US and Iraqi forces in their fight against insurgents will come when they win over the majority of the Iraqi population.
To that end he is spending thousands of dollars on billboards and television spots asking average Iraqis to come forward with information and tips that may lead to the capture or killing of insurgents.
12/28/2004 14:10 GMT - AFP