Pentagon extends Iraq tours for 2,200 Marines

Above: Marines from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit in May.

The Pentagon has extended the combat tours of 2,200 Marines in Iraq for 30 days, keeping the troops on the ground to help stabilize Anbar province, a Marine Corps spokesman said on Thursday.

The 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is conducting counterinsurgency operations in Iraq's western province, will stay until at least the end of September, under the extension.

"It's to contribute to stability operations," said Maj. Jay Delarosa, who called the extension typical.

"The bottom line is if they're extended another month, that's when you kind of have to be concerned," Delarosa said.

Read the rest at Reuters/Alternet

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