Posted on 06/29/2009 10:22:47 AM PDT by americanophile
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – U.S. troops pulled out of Baghdad on Monday, triggering jubilation among Iraqis hopeful that foreign military occupation is ending six years after the invasion to depose Saddam Hussein.
Iraqi soldiers paraded through the streets in their American-made vehicles draped with Iraqi flags and flowers, chanting, dancing and calling the pullout a "victory."
One drove a motorcycle with party streamers on it; another, a Humvee with a garland of plastic roses on the grill.
U.S. combat troops must pull out of Iraq's urban centers by midnight on Tuesday under a bilateral security pact that also requires all troops to leave the country by 2012.
All had left the capital by Monday afternoon, Major-General in Staff, Abboud Qanbar, head of Iraqi security forces in Baghdad, told Reuters.
Another Iraqi official who would not be named, said some units in cities outside Baghdad would leave at the last minute. Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said 30 bases remained to be handed over. There are still some 130,000 U.S. troops in Iraq.
Addressing military leaders in Baghdad, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said: "Our sovereignty has started and ... we should move forward to build a modern state and enjoy security which has been achieved."
Many Iraqis were elated even though they feared militants might use the withdrawal as an opportunity to step up attacks.
"The American forces' withdrawal is something awaited by every Iraqi: male, female, young and old. I consider June 30 to be like a wedding," said Ahmed Hameed, 38, near an ice cream bar in Baghdad's upmarket Karrada district.
"This is proof Iraqis are capable of controlling security inside Iraq," added the recent returnee from exile in Egypt.
The government has declared June 30 a national holiday, "National Sovereignty Day."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Time will tell....
I give it 2 weeks
Did our brave MSM Reporters leave with them, or are they going to tough it out with no protection?
I give it two weeks
Me, too. Two weeks.
I bet the media pulls out as well.
The "proof" is in actually maintaining security. The United States Military has controlled it and handed it to you in that state.
We're real excited around here....
Also, remember folks, that this is a Reuters article. The Iraqi military is not anti-American, but Reuters is.
May God protect you, dear Allegra!
Just make sure everybody catches that part...they're not all gone...
So what kind of government have we given the Iraqis? A republic...if you can keep it.
Yep. It's more free than our country is now. Not nearly as many regulations. Iraqis drive 110 mph on the roads outside the cities if they want, you can smoke anywhere, bars and nightclubs close whenever the owners feel like closing 'em...Iraqis own guns...
Thanks for the good wishes. We're on high alert and ready.
I wish them well. We've done a lot of work here and we're still training various sectors. I pray they can make this work on their own now.
If it's too soon....our troops are very nearby.
Prayers up for success!
Strong Language, but he’s doing them a favor, let’s hope they remember, but, alas, unlike the Iranians who have to fight for their freedom, the fight here may have yet to be fought
Iraqi Police Getting Yelled At
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pecX4ZR6ZvQ
A Good swift kick in the pants is what those people need. This is the reason why we are losing the fight in Iraq. These police forces and military forces are too scared of their own kind. They do not stick up for freedom.
We're not...
Typical Reuters. I believe a signifcant percentage of Iraqis are thankful for our presence (athough joyful at being on their own two feet). Nevermind al-Reuters to ever show both sides of the story.
That was part of the comment at you tube, we’ve won up to the point where President Øbama’s judgment takes over
Hear....hear!! Prayers up to keep you safe!
Keep us posted on how things are going with the combat troops' exiting as per the Bush/Iraqi plan.
I'll be praying for your safety!
I stopped reading at “foreign military occupation.”
Good decision.
That's how it really is. They're excited at the prospect of flying solo.
Most of the Iraqis I have encountered over the years have expressed gratitude.
We won't have any Iraqis at work tomorrow. When they were leaving work this afternoon, we were calling out our best wishes for a great Independence Day.
One that I work with said, "Thank you." When we just smiled, he said "No...thank you. You know what I mean."
They have their ways of getting it across without losing their cool. ;-)
Are you posting a regular update anywhere? You have better information than anyone I know, and you write it so beautifully!
Keep on hoping. The bulk of these moslems are incapable of gratitude, but always more than ready to spew hostility toward their benefactors.
Thanks for posting that, Allegra.
There’s a special place in hell for reuters.
I ADORE your tagline!!
What a great mom you must be! :)
Just a Mom who has good sons.
I hear you! :)
one “HEY..THANKS” in the lot.
"While we celebrate this day, we express our thanks and gratitude to our friends in the coalition forces who faced risks and responsibilities and sustained casualties and damage while helping Iraq to get rid from the ugliest dictatorship and during the joint effort to impose security and stability," Talabani said.
Thanks for posting them, Allegra!
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