President Barack Obama announced the withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Iraq by end 2011 2210113

a
 

Defense News - United States

 
 
Saturday, October 22, 2011, 08:10 AM
 
President Barack Obama announced the withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of 2011.
All American soldiers will be pulled out of Iraq by the end of the year, President Barack Obama has announced this Friday, October 21, 2011. He ordered a complete withdrawal from the country, nearly nine years after the invasion under President George W Bush. About 39,000 US troops remain in Iraq, down from a peak of 165,000 in 2008.
     

All American soldiers will be pulled out of Iraq by the end of the year, President Barack Obama has announced this Friday, October 21, 2011. He ordered a complete withdrawal from the country, nearly nine years after the invasion under President George W Bush. About 39,000 US troops remain in Iraq, down from a peak of 165,000 in 2008.
A U.S. Army soldier patrols on foot through a village southeast of Salman Pak, Iraq.
(Archive image Copyright U.S. Department of Defense)

     

According to the Department of Defense, there have been 4,408 American military deaths in Iraq since March 2003.

The US and Iraq were in "full agreement" on how to move forward, Mr Obama said, adding: "The US leaves Iraq with our heads held high."

"That is how America's military efforts in Iraq will end."

He pledged assistance and "a strong and enduring partnership" with Iraqi government.

The US declared the end of its combat mission in Iraq in 2010. The deadline for complete troop withdrawal by end of 2011 was set during former President George W Bush's term in office. However, the issue of a full pullout had been the subject of an ongoing debate.

Iraqi leaders had wanted 5,000 US troops to remain in a training capacity. But those trainers would not have received immunity from prosecution under Iraqi law. The Pentagon refused to accept that condition, with Defence Secretary Leon Panetta insisting that "we protect and provide the appropriate immunity for our soldiers".

The decision to pull out all US troops suggests no deal could be reached, despite Iraq's desire for continued access to US military expertise, correspondents say.

Earlier this month, Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said: "If we do not have agreement on the immunity, there will be no agreement on the number."