Petraeus Seeks More Troops for Buildup in Iraq

BOSTON -- The commander of U.S. forces in Iraq has asked for an additional 2,500 to 3,000 troops to be sent to Iraq as part of the Bush administration's military buildup to crack down on rising sectarian violence and insurgents, the Boston Globe reports.

Gen. David H. Petraeus wants another Army combat aviation unit -- which would be the sixth Army brigade involved in the buildup -- deployed to support the more than 26,000 soldiers already on their way to Iraq under the President Bush's "surge," the Globe said Thursday night, quoting unidentified senior Pentagon officials.

The request has not yet been made public, according to the report, which quoted one official as saying the extra troops were needed to assist those on the ground now and those expected in Iraq shortly.

-- Associated Press