General says U.S. could draw down in Iraq next year

By Andrew Gray

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States could begin withdrawing troops from northern Iraq in January, the commander of U.S. forces for the region said on Friday, as pressure mounts on the Bush administration to end the war.

Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin Mixon said a drawdown could take place over 12 to 18 months if U.S. and Iraqi forces continued to make progress in establishing security in his area. But he cautioned against any reduction of forces in northern Iraq this year.

"I think that over time in a very methodical and well thought-out way -- and I'm only speaking for Multi-national Division North -- that we could have a reduction of force that could begin in January of 2008," Mixon said.

Mixon's area of responsibility includes Iraqi cities such as Kirkuk, Tikrit and Mosul as well as the volatile province of Diyala, the scene of a major U.S. military operation in recent weeks against the militant group al Qaeda in Iraq.

Speaking by videolink from Iraq to reporters at the Pentagon, Mixon said he had about five or six brigades under his command and that number could be cut in half over 18 months if security improved and Iraqi forces became more capable.

A brigade normally has around 3,000 to 5,000 troops.

As Iraqi forces took over more security duties, U.S. forces would concentrate on providing logistical support, air power and medical assistance, Mixon said.

President George W. Bush is under pressure from lawmakers in his own Republican Party, Democrats and U.S. public opinion to pull troops out of Iraq.