A request for 7,500 more troops to Iraq (Maybe more than that)

Note: This request is for at least 7,500 more combat troops beyond the 17,000 already included in "the surge."

The U.S. general commanding the security crackdown in Baghdad said Friday that he has asked for reinforcements beyond the 17,000 U.S. combat troops already committed to the Iraqi capital as part of President Bush's emergency build-up.

Army Maj. Gen. Joseph Fil, commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division based at Fort Hood, told a Pentagon news conference that he has requested additional forces to provide attack helicopters and combat engineers to bolster efforts to regain control of the capital city of 5 million.

Fil's request, if approved, could boost the U.S. buildup planned for Baghdad by more than 7,500 soldiers — or about a 44 percent increase.

"We have requested specific elements — in other words, additional attack helicopters and additional engineers," Fil said, adding that additional logistics troops also would be required....

Maj. Gen Fil commenting in other articles,

(AP) U.S. officials sounded a note of caution. Maj. Gen. Joseph Fil, commander of U.S. forces in Baghdad, said militias and insurgents have apparently decided to lie low at least during these early days of the security crackdown. "They're watching us carefully," Fil said Friday. "There's an air of suspense."

(WaPo) "We do expect there are going to be some very rough, difficult days ahead.".... "This enemy knows how -- they understand lethality, and they have a thirst for blood like I have never seen anywhere before."