US announces 12,000 US troops to leave Iraq

[ProSense]

US announces 12,000 US troops to leave Iraq

BAGHDAD – About 12,000 U.S. soldiers will leave Iraq by September, officials said Sunday, hours after a Baghdad suicide bomber killed about 30 people in a chilling reminder of the nation's still-shaky security.

The withdrawals, which will most likely come from Baghdad and Anbar province, once main battlefields of the war, are the first step in keeping with President Barack Obama's pledge to end America's role in the war.

That would bring U.S. troop levels to more than 120,000 — still a substantial force. As part of the drawdown, the U.S. will turn over 74 facilities and areas under its control to the Iraqis by the end of March.

All 4,000 British soldiers remaining in Iraq are also scheduled to leave by September.

A U.S. spokesman, Maj. Gen. David Perkins, said Iraq's security has "greatly improved, moving from a very unstable to a stable position." He said violence was at its lowest level since the summer of 2003.

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[Clio the Leo]

1. Flippin awesome aint it!!!! NT

[Divine Discontent]

2. I wish there was a 3 between the 1 and the 2.... but I'll take it. eom

[Ian David]

3. Fox "News" Reports: Obama Recession Costs Our Troops 12,000 Jobs.

Just wait and see!