Last U.S. Combat Brigade In Iraq Relinguishes Duties To Local Control

All combat duties in Iraq have now been handed over to local security forces, heading toward eventual U.S. withdrawal.

President Barack Obama said last Monday he would stick to his promise to end U.S. combat operations in Iraq by August 31, with security being left in the hands of Iraq’s own U.S.-trained army and police.

“Today is an extremely important day as we continue to progress toward turning over full responsibility to the Iraqi security forces,” General Raymond Odierno, top commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, told reporters after a departure ceremony for the last U.S. combat brigade.

By September 1 the number of U.S. troops in Iraq will be just under 50,000, which commanders say will be enough to counter any violence.

While this was the last combat brigade to hand over control to Iraqi forces, there will still be six brigades left in the country after U.S. combat troops leave by the end of the month.

The six Advice and Assist Brigades, which come into effect from September 1 when the U.S. moves formally into an advisory role, will train and support Iraq’s army and police.

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.