Last US combat troops leave Iraq

The US combat operations in Iraq offically ended Wednesday after the last remaining American combat forces in Iraq crossed over the border and into Kuwait.The 4th Stryker Brigade was the last combat unit to be have left Iraq and meet the August 31st withdrawl deadline set by President Obama. Despite the departure now of all US Combat forces, 50,000 troops and personal remain to take on a primarly advisorary role to Iraqi security forces. Doubts about peace in Iraq remain with a recent spike in violence, including the killing of 68 Iraqi Army recruits on Tuesday. Last week the top commander of Iraqi military forces stirred controversy when he said that he wanted the US to stay for another 10 years and that he does not think that Iraqi security forces are at a sufficent level to deal with the ongoing insurgency. As the last US combat troops crossed the border and ended the combat mission in Iraq, the violence around the country continued. 5 Iraqi govt. employees were killed when suspected Sunni insurgents carried out a series of attacks and planted roadside bombs. The killings only further undermine stability and peace in the region with insurgents maintaining a steadfast campaign taking advantage of security lapses, a political power vaccum and now the withdrawl of the last US combat forces. Since the overthrow of the Saddam Hussein regime, the US provided the main security through out Iraq, but now that role is squarely in the hands of the Iraqis with the last US combat brigade departing Iraq. The United States was at war in Iraq for seven and half years and lost 4,000 Soldiers in the conflict.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/08/201081818840122963.html

http://www.kansascity.com/2010/08/18/2158382/insurgents-kill-5-govt-employees.html#ixzz0x21uliT7