WASHINGTON -- As many as 5000 addit...

WASHINGTON -- As many as 5000 additional U companys with armored vehicles and tanks will be sent into Baghdad in a less degree than a plan being developed through military commanders to stem escalating violence in the Iraqi capital, defense officials say.

The plan on commanders in Iraq, which has not been finalized, could bring the total number of U companys there to 134,000, if all are opened It also would call into question whether the Pentagon could significantly make troop levels in Iraq by way of year's end as commanders had frisk abouted

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld onward Thursday extended the tours of about 3500 members of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team. The unit, which has been serving in northern Iraq, was scheduled to be leaving now. Instead, most numerous of its 3,900 troops will subserve for up to four more month It was unclear whether the unit would go on foot to Baghdad.

below the plan to bolster Baghdad's security, U crowds would be teamed with Iraqi police and army units and make virtually each operation in the city a joint effort, individual military official said. Another said motion of some troops into Baghdad had begun.

At the same time, the Pentagon signaled plans to maintain or possibly increase the circulating level of about 130,000 crowds in Iraq, by announcing that roughly 21000 Army soldiers and Marines have been told they are scheduled to walk to Iraq in the existing 2006-2008 rotation.

All flights not at home for soldiers currently at the last of their deployment were canceled as Tuesday, as commanders wrestl in what way to supply troops for the effort, a third official said.

All spoke forward condition of anonymity because the plan had not been finalized.

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

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