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Israel began, Sunday, to transfer bodies of Palestinian Authority (PA) terrorists killed by Israeli forces to their families in the PA for reburial, according to sources on both sides, cited by Agence France Presse. said. Fatma Abdallah, media coordinator for the "Palestinian national committee to return the bodies of martyrs", said that one of the bodies was that of Majdi Khanfar, originally from Silat Az-Zaher near Jenin, via a crossing in northern Samaria, who was killed 12 years ago in a shootout that took the life of Border Police First Sergeant Konstantin Danilov. Abdallah told AFP another two bodies out...

BAGHDAD — The historic Ibn Sina Hospital will return to Iraqi Government control this fall. In accordance with the Iraq Security Agreement, U.S. forces are scheduled to return the facility to the Iraqis, October 1. Currently operated by the U.S. Army’s 10th Combat Support Hospital (CSH), the staff will continue to provide quality healthcare for all patients throughout the next two months of transition. Col. Raphael De Jesus, 10th CSH Commander, wants to reassure servicemembers and civilians that they need not worry about care. "The mission of the 10th CSH is sustaining,” says De Jesus. “Our ability to provide excellent...

It may not be "Mission accomplished," but we are getting closer. Yesterday, the United States completed the process of withdrawing from Iraq's cities. American forces closed or turned over to Iraqi authorities 150 bases and facilities. The Iraqis are happy to see us go, and we are glad to be leaving.

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq, June 30, 2009 – In accordance with Article 5 of the security agreement between the U.S. and Iraqi governments, Iraqi security forces now have full ownership of security in their cities, towns and villages. Army Capt. Rich Turvey, commander of 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, signs over Joint Security Station Salaam to Iraqi army 1st Lt. Jassim Abbas at a transfer ceremony near Numaniyah, Iraq, June 20, 2009. In accordance with the U.S.-Iraqi security agreement, Iraqi security forces took full ownership of security in their cities, towns and villages on June 30, 2009. U.S....

Iraqi policemen in Basra celebrated the withdrawal on Tuesday. A recent spate of high-profile bombings that has killed over 250 people has added to the uncertainty of the handover, but it did not dampen the national pride of the day. Photo: Haider al-Assadee/European Pressphoto AgencyIt should be a victory day for all; but not without cautious optimism, nervous trepidation, and healthy skepticism. Peter Feaver: Early reports that General Odierno felt the deadline should slip a bit gave way to more recent reports that he was comfortable meeting the deadline. This reassured me somewhat, until I re-read this assessment by Stephen...

Obama: We have turned over control to Iraq @ 2:34 pm by Jeremy P. Jacobs President Obama on Tuesday formally announced that U.S. troops have turned over control of Iraq to the country's own government and security forces. Speaking at the White House, Obama said the U.S. met today's deadline, which is part of his plan to remove all troops from Iraq by 2011. Obama noted that Iraqis are "rightly treating this day as a cause for celebration," but he also noted that challenges still lie ahead. "With this progress comes responsibility," he said. "Iraq's future is in the hands...

For once the loud explosions piercing the Baghdad night are the sounds of celebration rather than violence and bloodshed, as a new national holiday is announced to mark US troops leaving Iraq's towns and cities.

Today is a milestone in Iraq. Under the terms of the Strategic Framework Agreement, U.S. troops will withdraw from Iraqi cities. In retrospect, however, June 30 will likely mark another milestone: the end of the surge and the relative peace it brought to Iraq. In the past week, bombings in Baghdad, Mosul and near Kirkuk have killed almost 200 people. The worst is yet to come. While the Strategic Framework Agreement was negotiated in the twilight of the Bush administration, President Barack Obama shaped the final deal. He campaigned on a time line to withdraw combat troops from Iraq, and...

A car bomb exploded in a crowded outdoor market in the northern city of Kirkuk on Tuesday, killing at least 27 people, police said, a deadly reminder of the challenges facing the Iraqi government even as it celebrated the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from cities. The bombing marred what had otherwise been a festive day as Iraqis commemorated the newly declared National Sovereignty Day with military parades and marching bands. It also came hours after four U.S. soldiers were killed in combat Monday in Baghdad. Although there were no immediate claims of responsibility, the bombing and the way it...

WASHINGTON, June 29, 2009 – As the security agreement deadline looms, U.S. and Iraqi forces celebrated the transition of security in Iraq’s cities from coalition to Iraqi control and commemorated the transfer of a combat outpost and security station. Sameer Al-Haddad, receivership secretariat and representative to the prime minister, and Army Capt. Timothy Stephenson commemorate the signing over of Joint Security Station Aziziyah to the Iraqi army in Wasit province, Iraq, June 23, 2009. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Allison Churchill  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The U.S.-Iraq security agreement calls for the withdrawal of U.S. combat forces from...

WASHINGTON, June 29, 2009 – The withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from all Iraqi cities and towns was completed over the weekend and ahead of tomorrow’s deadline, a Pentagon spokesman said on a cable TV news show today. “Overall, the security situation is stable enough for Iraqi security forces to take on this added responsibility,” Geoff Morrell said on CNN’s “Newsroom.” “It’s one that they want, and it’s one that the commanders on the ground feel they are capable of taking on. “It has to be OK because there’s a legal agreement, which forces us to abide by these timelines,”...

BAGHDAD – Iraqi forces assumed formal control of Baghdad and other cities Tuesday after American troops handed over security in urban areas in a defining step toward ending the U.S. combat role in the country. A countdown clock broadcast on Iraqi TV ticked to zero as the midnight deadline passed for U.S. combat troops to finish their pullback to bases outside cities. "The withdrawal of American troops is completed now from all cities after everything they sacrificed for the sake of security," said Sadiq al-Rikabi, a senior adviser to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. "We are now celebrating the restoration of...

NAJAF, Iraq — A stream of U.S. military trucks laden with supplies rolled down a dusty four-lane highway over the weekend, ending the U.S. presence in one of Shiite Islam’s holiest cities. Coalition forces, including U.S., British and Spanish troops, have patrolled Najaf, with its population of around 900,000, since it was captured by the 101st Airborne Division in April 2003. The city has had its share of violence since then. Uprisings by firebrand cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s militia in 2004 sparked fierce fighting in the Wadi al-Salem — a sprawling cemetery where Shiites from around the world hope to be...

Lt. Col. Timothy Karcher, commander, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, presents Sameer al Haddad, a representative from the Office of the Prime Minister of Iraq, a symbolic key signifying the transfer of responsibility of Joint Security Station Sadr City in northeast Baghdad during the official ceremony, June 20. Photo by Sgt. Shejal Pulivarti, 1st Cavalry Division. BAGHDAD — A common sense of triumph and accomplishment drifted in the air during a ceremony in northeast Baghdad’s Sadr City district June 20, as U.S. Soldiers returned Joint Security Station (JSS) Sadr City to the Iraqi Army (IA), in accordance with the U.S.-Iraq...

An Iraqi Soldier hoists the Iraqi flag during a transfer of authority ceremony to signify the opening of the Balad Joint Coordination Center, which was previously Forward Operating Base Paliwoda, June 15. Photo by Spc. Jazz Burney, 25th Infantry Division. TIKRIT — U.S. Soldiers lowered the American flag and Iraqi Soldiers raised the Iraqi flag to signify the reclassification of Forward Operating Base Paliwoda into the Iraqi-led Balad Joint Coordination Center during a ceremony near Balad, June 15. The Balad JCC combines Iraqi Army and Police coordination elements, along with civilian emergency response functions together in one center. A small...

BASRAH — British forces handed over a former Coalition headquarters to Iraqi officials during a ceremony at the Basrah International Airport Hotel here, June 15. The handover of the hotel is part of the ongoing withdrawal of British forces from Iraq in accordance with the United Kingdom's security agreement with the Iraqi government. "Military and civilian personnel, both Iraqi and Coalition, have worked within the hotel to achieve the conditions that have allowed us to celebrate many days just like this – the return of functions and facilities to the Basrawis," said Group Captain Richard Hill, deputy commander of British...

Capt. Adam Ropelewski, commander, Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, signs over control of Joint Security Station Mutanabe to Capt. 'Ali Abdual Zaharra Hussain, 4th Company, 3rd Battalion, 32nd Iraqi Army Brigade, at a transfer ceremony, May 28. Photo by Sgt. Joe Thompson, Multi-National Division-South. FOB DELTA — U.S. forces handed over the responsibility of Joint Security Station Mutanabe in the Wasit province to the Iraqi Army (IA) in a ceremony here, May 28. Capt. Adam Ropelewski, commander of Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade, signed over the JSS to Capt. Ali Abdual...

After bashing the Iraq War from Great Britain to Turkey Barack Obama further insulted the troops today by telling them that now was the time to start transferring sovereignty to the Iraqis. Iraqi Aswat Aliraq News reported: “The coming 18 months may pose a danger to Iraq, and the time has come to transfer ‘sovereignty’ to Iraqis to run their own affairs,” Obama said. What was completely missed by Obama was that 13 of 18 provinces are already completely under Iraqi control.

SKANDARIYAH, Iraq — A longtime U.S. forward operating base will soon be handed over to the Iraqis, continuing a transition toward greater Iraqi control across the nation. Forward Operating Base Iskan was once home to more than a battalion-sized element of American soldiers. Within the month, U.S. forces will turn over the base to the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity. Iraqi army soldiers could be stationed at the base as well. "The security program is basically working," said Maj. Mike Swienton, an engineer with the 172nd Infantry Brigade. "We’re reconfiguring our area of operations and putting the Iraqi face forward." Earlier...

The U.S. military has officially signed over ownership of Camp Ramadi to the Iraqi government, though American troops are not scheduled to leave the base before 2012. According to the U.S. command in Baghdad, a memorandum of agreement has been drawn up and signed "outlining the areas that will continue to be used by Coalition forces." American and other troops have operated from Camp Ramadi since shortly after the invasion of Iraq in 2003. For several years, Ramadi was among the deadliest battlegrounds for American troops and was the heartland of the Sunni insurgency. Rocket and mortar attacks on the...