President Barack Obama announced Friday a conclusion to the war in Iraq, and the return of virtually all U.S. troops by the end of the year. “After nearly nine years, America’s war in Iraq will be over,” Obama said. “The coming months will be a season of homecomings. Our troops in Iraq will definitely be home for the holidays.” 150 of the 39,000 troops will remain to assist in arms sales, but defense of the country will be left to the Iraqi forces, which the U.S. defense chief says are capable.
In withdrawing the troops, Obama fulfills one of his campaign promises. There was some conflict over the negotiation of legal immunity for U.S. troops in Iraq, which led to the decision to have the troops removed by December 31. Iraqi President Nuri al-Maliki said in a statement that he and Obama want to start “a new phase of strategic relations.”
