Iraqis rejoice as U.S. troops leave Baghdad

Reuters via Yahoo! News ^ | June 30, 2009 | Tim Cocks and Muhanad Mohammed

[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."

[americanophile]

I'm hoping this is new-found joy in self-governance...and not hostility and ingratitude towards soldiers who provided these people with their freedom.

[Lucky9teen]

Time will tell....

[wiseprince]

I give it 2 weeks

[Dixie Yooper]

Did our brave MSM Reporters leave with them, or are they going to tough it out with no protection?

[wiseprince]

I give it two weeks

[LiberConservative]

Me, too. Two weeks.

[AppyPappy]

I bet the media pulls out as well.

[Ol' Sox]

"This is proof Iraqis are capable of controlling security inside Iraq," added the recent returnee from exile in Egypt.

The "proof" is in actually maintaining security. The United States Military has controlled it and handed it to you in that state.

[Allegra]

Yeeeaaahhhh....

We're real excited around here....

[ohioWfan]

The Iraqi soldiers and the Iraqi people understand that it was the U.S. and Coalition troops that allowed, and indeed created this moment of rejoicing. They have been in charge of operations for quite some time now, with U.S. troops in support.

Also, remember folks, that this is a Reuters article. The Iraqi military is not anti-American, but Reuters is.

[ohioWfan]

May God protect you, dear Allegra!

[Allegra]

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.

Just make sure everybody catches that part...they're not all gone...

[Billthedrill]

Keep yer socks close. Could be all right but you never know when you're going to have to bug out fast.

So what kind of government have we given the Iraqis? A republic...if you can keep it.

[Allegra]

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.

[Allegra]

Thank you, my FRiend! Eric did his share to help make this happen.

Prayers up for success!

[Son House]

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.

[Allegra]

This is the reason why we are losing the fight in Iraq.

We're not...

[jjm2111]

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.

[Son House]

That was part of the comment at you tube, we’ve won up to the point where President Øbama’s judgment takes over

[SoldiersPrayingMom]

Hear....hear!! Prayers up to keep you safe!