(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-05-06 22:23

BAGHDAD -- About 3,500 American soldiers are scheduled to leave Iraq in the coming weeks, the US military announced, as part of the Pentagon's overall reduction in troop strength following last year's "surge."

Back to the bunkers : Two dismount soldiers of 1st Battalion Scots Guards Battle Group return to thier bunkers after an 8 hour operation in norther Basra,April 27,2008.The US military announced about 3,500 American soldiers are scheduled to leave Iraq in the coming weeks. [Agencies]

Washington plans to trim it forces in Iraq to about 140,000 soldiers by the summer — from a peak of about 170,000 in October at the height of the troop buildup in Baghdad and surrounding areas.

The departing soldiers, part of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, will redeploy to Fort Benning, Ga., the military said.

The US sent some 30,000 additional troops into Iraq last year to help stem growing violence. The troop increase, a truce by a key Shiite Muslim militia and the rise of Sunni fighters who allied with the US in the battle against al-Qaida were credited with a sharp decrease in bloodshed during the last 10 months.

The soldiers are part of the third of five "surge" brigades scheduled to leave the country. The other two are expected to return to the US by the end of July. There are currently about 159,000 US soldiers in Iraq.

"The continued drawdown of surge brigades demonstrates continued progress in Iraq," Brig. Gen. Dan Allyn said in the statement released late Monday. "After July, commanders will assess our security posture for about 45 days and determine future force requirements based on these conditions-based assessments."

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