End of the war as US pulls out of Iraq
Source: Agencies |
December 16, 2011, Friday
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After nearly nine years, 4,500 Americans and 100,000 Iraqi dead, US officials formally shut down the war in Iraq. In addition to the fatalities, the war left 32,000 Americans wounded and cost the United States more than US$800 billion.
Bombings and gun battles are still common in Iraq. And experts are concerned about the country's security force's ability to defend the nation against foreign threats.
Still, US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said earlier this week the war "has not been in vain."
Panetta and several other US diplomatic, military and defense leaders took part in a symbolic ceremony at Baghdad International Airport yesterday during which the flag of US Forces-Iraq was officially retired, or "cased," according to Army tradition. The flag was wrapped around a flagpole and covered in camouflage. It will be taken back to the US.
"You will leave with great pride - lasting pride," Panetta told the troops. "Secure in knowing that your sacrifice has helped the Iraqi people to begin a new chapter in history."
Iraqi citizens offered a more pessimistic assessment. "The Americans are leaving behind them a destroyed country," said Mariam Khazim of Sadr City. "The Americans did not leave modern schools or big factories behind them. Instead, they left thousands of widows and orphans."
The Iraq Body Count website says more than 100,000 Iraqis have been killed since the 2003 invasion.
A member of the political coalition loyal to anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr saw another message in the US withdrawal.
"The American ceremony represents the failure of the US occupation of Iraq due to the great resistance of the Iraqi people," said Sadrist lawmaker Amir al-Kinani.
US President Barack Obama has promised that the US plans to keep a robust diplomatic presence in Iraq, foster a deep and lasting relationship with the nation and maintain a strong military force in the region.
As of yesterday, there were two US bases and about 4,000 US troops in Iraq - a dramatic drop from the roughly 500 military installations and as many as 170,000 troops during the surge ordered by President George W. Bush in 2007. All US troops are due to be out of Iraq by the end of the year, but officials are likely to meet that goal before then.
The total US departure is a bit earlier than initially planned, and military leaders worry it is a bit premature for the Iraqi security forces, who face continuing struggles to develop the logistics, air operations, surveillance and intelligence sharing capabilities they will need in what has been a difficult neighborhood.
US officials were unable to reach an agreement with the Iraqis on legal issues and troop immunity that would have allowed a small training and counterterrorism force to remain.
The 4,000 troops who will remain in Kuwait for some months will be helping finalize the move out of Iraq, but could also be used as a quick reaction force if needed.
Ending the war was an early goal of the Obama administration, and yesterday's ceremony will allow Obama fulfill a crucial campaign promise. The 2012 race is roiling and Republicans are in a ferocious battle to determine who will face Obama.
Bombings and gun battles are still common in Iraq. And experts are concerned about the country's security force's ability to defend the nation against foreign threats.
Still, US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said earlier this week the war "has not been in vain."
Panetta and several other US diplomatic, military and defense leaders took part in a symbolic ceremony at Baghdad International Airport yesterday during which the flag of US Forces-Iraq was officially retired, or "cased," according to Army tradition. The flag was wrapped around a flagpole and covered in camouflage. It will be taken back to the US.
"You will leave with great pride - lasting pride," Panetta told the troops. "Secure in knowing that your sacrifice has helped the Iraqi people to begin a new chapter in history."
Iraqi citizens offered a more pessimistic assessment. "The Americans are leaving behind them a destroyed country," said Mariam Khazim of Sadr City. "The Americans did not leave modern schools or big factories behind them. Instead, they left thousands of widows and orphans."
The Iraq Body Count website says more than 100,000 Iraqis have been killed since the 2003 invasion.
A member of the political coalition loyal to anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr saw another message in the US withdrawal.
"The American ceremony represents the failure of the US occupation of Iraq due to the great resistance of the Iraqi people," said Sadrist lawmaker Amir al-Kinani.
US President Barack Obama has promised that the US plans to keep a robust diplomatic presence in Iraq, foster a deep and lasting relationship with the nation and maintain a strong military force in the region.
As of yesterday, there were two US bases and about 4,000 US troops in Iraq - a dramatic drop from the roughly 500 military installations and as many as 170,000 troops during the surge ordered by President George W. Bush in 2007. All US troops are due to be out of Iraq by the end of the year, but officials are likely to meet that goal before then.
The total US departure is a bit earlier than initially planned, and military leaders worry it is a bit premature for the Iraqi security forces, who face continuing struggles to develop the logistics, air operations, surveillance and intelligence sharing capabilities they will need in what has been a difficult neighborhood.
US officials were unable to reach an agreement with the Iraqis on legal issues and troop immunity that would have allowed a small training and counterterrorism force to remain.
The 4,000 troops who will remain in Kuwait for some months will be helping finalize the move out of Iraq, but could also be used as a quick reaction force if needed.
Ending the war was an early goal of the Obama administration, and yesterday's ceremony will allow Obama fulfill a crucial campaign promise. The 2012 race is roiling and Republicans are in a ferocious battle to determine who will face Obama.
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