President Obama confirms that the U.S. combat mission in Iraq will end by August 31
August 3rd, 2010 - 12:57 am ICT by BNO NewsWASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) – President Barack Obama confirmed on Monday that the United States combat mission in Iraq will end by August 31, in which thousands of military service members are expected to return.
The message came during an event with the Disabled American Veterans in Atlanta, Georgia. Obama said that he intended to fulfill his presidential campaign’s promise to end the war in Iraq. He also commented that the transition of power to full Iraqi responsibility.
“For the past nine years, in Afghanistan and Iraq, they have borne the burdens of war. Through their extraordinary service they have written their own chapters in the American story and by any measure have earned their place among the greatest of generations,” Obama said.
Despite July being the deadliest month in Iraq since 2008, the United States has begun to transfer to Iraq hundreds of bases. Millions of pieces of equipment are being moved in one of the largest logistics operations in decades. At the end of July, more than 90,000 troops were brought back.
“Now, this summer, tens of thousands of our troops in Iraq are coming home. The U.S. President said. “In this season of homecomings, every American can show their gratitude to our patriots who served in Iraq.”
Starting in August, the U.S. strategy will change from combat to support and train Iraqi security forces. In many parts of the Middle Eastern country, Iraqis have already taken the lead for security.
“Our commitment in Iraq is changing—from a military effort led by our troops to a civilian effort led by our diplomats,” Obama added.
Iraq and the U.S. agreed to maintain a transitional force until the whole troops from Iraq are removed by the end of 2011. The troops that will remain deployed in Iraq will train local forces in counter-terrorism missions and protecting civilians and military efforts.
So far more than one million American military members, including soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, coast guardsmen, have served in Iraq. This amount is far more than any conflict since Vietnam.
- Obama says combat operations in Iraq coming to a close - Aug 29, 2010
- U.S. officially ends nearly nine-year-long war in Iraq - Dec 15, 2011
- 'Only 17,000 US soldiers left in Iraq' - Nov 25, 2011
- 'War is ending' in Iraq: Obama - Aug 28, 2010
- American Combat Operations In Iraq Ends As U.S. Troops Head Home - Aug 20, 2010
- Obama says Iraqi withdrawal on schedule - Aug 02, 2010
- Last American Combat Troops Withdrawn From Iraq - Aug 19, 2010
- Obama declares end to US combat operations in Iraq - Sep 01, 2010
- Obama to mark Iraq transition with major address - Aug 31, 2010
- Final brigade of US combat troops leaves Iraq - Aug 19, 2010
- After 4,400 deaths, US ends combat in Iraq (Lead) - Sep 01, 2010
- Thousands of Iraqis protest against foreign intervention - Sep 17, 2011
- Obama to give address on Libya on Monday - Mar 26, 2011
- US army to ask Obama to slow down Afghan withdrawal - Aug 13, 2010
- US troops to pull out from Iraq by 2011 end - Oct 22, 2011
Tags: barack obama, bno, burdens, combat mission, counter terrorism, deadliest month in iraq, diplomats, disabled american veterans, extraordinary service, homecomings, iraqi security, military effort, military efforts, military members, military service members, nine years, presidential campaign, security forces, troops in iraq, war in iraq