On April 11, the Pentagon announced that it will increase the tour of duty for every active-duty Army unit in Iraq and Afghanistan to 15 months. Before, soldiers’ tours of duty were 12 months long.
According to U.S. Defense secretary Robert M. Gates, the tour extension is a necessary step to control security in Iraq
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“This approach,” he told reporters at a Pentagon briefing, “upholds our commitment to decide when to begin any drawdown of U.S. forces in Iraq solely based on conditions on the ground” (Baltimore Sun, April 11).
This announcement means that working-class soldiers will have more time abroad fighting in imperialist wars and less time at home with their families. Longer tours no doubt will also lead to greater Iraqi and U.S. casualties.
Resistance to the Iraq war within the U.S. military is growing. Soldiers, their families and veterans are participating in anti-war activities in ever-increasing numbers. The March 17 March on the Pentagon, initiated by the ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism), was led by soldiers, sailors, military families and veterans.
In addition, over 1,800 active duty troops have signed “An Appeal for Redress,” which requests the withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Iraq. The Pentagon’s extension of troop tours surely will lead to further discontent.
Meanwhile, the Iraqi people are united in demanding a complete U.S. withdrawal.
In the past few months, the Iraqi resistance against the occupation has taken important steps forward. It appears to be gaining in popularity and strength. One demonstrative event was the recent bombing of the Iraqi parliament in the “highly secured” Green Zone. Several people were killed, including Iraqi puppet government lawmakers, and scores more were wounded.
Just days before, up to a million Iraqis marched against the U.S. occupation in Najaf. The protest was called by Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. On April 16, lawmakers from al-Sadr’s political bloc quit the Iraqi puppet parliament and cabinet. These acts were direct responses to the strong anti-occupation sentiments of the Iraqi people.
The resistance of the Iraqi people has persisted despite the U.S. government’s much-vaunted “troop surge” and “security crackdown” in Baghdad.
Currently, there are about 145,000 U.S. troops in Iraq. The U.S. military has shown that it cannot militarily defeat the Iraqi resistance even though it possesses the most advanced weaponry and technology in the world. By June, there will be at least 170,000 soldiers in Iraq.
The U.S. ruling class does not want to leave Iraq. Iraq is vital to the U.S imperialists’ aspirations of regional domination and for its vast oil reserves.
Regardless of party affiliation, the U.S. government’s capitalist leaders are fearful that accepting defeat in Iraq would shatter the myth of U.S. invincibility and encourage others to fight for liberation from imperialism.
The imperialists will not bring justice to the Iraqi people. More war and threats against the people of the Middle East are on the agenda for the U.S. ruling class. These policies are carried out at the expense of the region’s people, the rank-and-file U.S. troops and all workers in the United States.
U.S. imperialism is responsible for the devastation and death in Iraq. It is a monstrous crime against humanity. With its massacres, death squads, secret police, prisons, poverty and callous disregard for Iraqi sovereignty and lives, the brutal occupation is being imposed on Iraqis against their will.
Progressive organizations and revolutionaries will continue to support the Iraqi resistance as we work with soldiers, military families, veterans and others to stop the war. Organizing anti-war resistance in the United States is a key task for the working class.
Congress, politicians and generals will not end the war. Only a united, internationalist workers’ movement can stop the war.
