Didnt see a topic on this yet, and I think its signifigant enough to discuss for a few days at least.

 

 

 

Basically, the United States has handed control of Urban areas in Iraq over to Iraqi security forces. The US still has bases and will still be operating in rural areas(including a base near baghdad just in case) but this is universally considered a major step forward. Hopefully, the Iraqi security forces will be able to handle security and we will be able to see a self supporting country very soon.

 

 

 

edit--it actually is a national holiday in Iraq(yesterday I posted after day ended)

 

 

 

am I spelling sovereignty wrong?

It's definitely a big step forward. I don't really know what more could be said, other than the usual arguments over whether it's too soon/not soon enough. As long as they're doing it in a measured way which will give Iraqis the best chance at a secure democracy, I'm happy with it.

Didnt see a topic on this yet, and I think its signifigant enough to discuss for a few days at least.

 

 

 

Basically, the United States has handed control of Urban areas in Iraq over to Iraqi security forces. The US still has bases and will still be operating in rural areas(including a base near baghdad just in case) but this is universally considered a major step forward. Hopefully, the Iraqi security forces will be able to handle security and we will be able to see a self supporting country very soon.

 

 

 

edit--it actually is a national holiday in Iraq(yesterday I posted after day ended)

 

 

 

am I spelling soverenty wrong?

 

 

 

It's spelled Sovereignty.

 

 

 

But that's beside the point. This is one nice step forward, although I'd like to see a slightly larger army/police force to get things under control. And it'll help with getting the US out of Iraq.

While Al-Qaeda are still operating in Iraq I don't see the US leaving, and until Al-Qaeda and the Taliban are crushed, I don't see the US leaving the Middle East alone for a long time. Ah well, it at least is a step forward to the Iraqis dealing with their own full operation of the country.

Wonderful, let them take care of their own damn Country.

Good step. Combat troops are leaving as we speak every day the number goes down. Infantry MOS's are being withdrawn constantly and having their deployments cut short or being sent to Afghanistan. We are still operating the major hubs or as we call them "FOBs". All of the outer smaller bases are being collapsed into these FOBs.

 

 

 

I have mixed feelings really, because things are starting to jump off there again. And convoys arn't as safe anymore. Since they own the roads now, we can't just push through. But i guess thats just how its gonna be.

 

 

 

Even as a military person, I'd love to be able to pull ALL troops out not just the combat element, but that will be a while longer. Its a hellish place over there.

Wonderful, let them take care of their own damn Country.

 

Well the Iraqis can't be blamed, it's not like they asked for it in the first place. If I remember correctly?

Wonderful, let them take care of their own damn Country.

 

 

 

Wow, one of the most ignorant comments i have ever read.

It does seem like a very good step, however I hope it isn't premature. I know there were a lot of concerns about security forces in Iraq and Afghanistan not being able to handle that level of responsibility at present.

It seemed like it was premature prior to the deadline, as violence had risen, with the huge bombing in northern Iraq with ~80 deaths and similar bombings in Baghdad, but now it seems that our withdrawal from the cities have removed some insurgents' justification for violence. I read this article in the New York Times that said:

 

 

 

[hide=Quote from Article]

The statements all commanded Iraqis to continue fighting the American military until it had left the country completely; nearly 130,000 troops remain. The statements also insisted, in unusually clear language, that Iraqis not turn their violence on one another.

 

 

 

This appears to be a noteworthy change for the former Hussein ally, Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, who was deputy chairman of Mr. Husseins Revolutionary Command Council and who American officials say has been financing and organizing Baathist insurgents.

 

 

 

We have decided in this blessed day to direct all combat effort towards the invaders, Mr. Douris statement said, and forbid absolutely the killing of Iraqis or fighting them in all the formations and organs of the agents authority in the so-called army, police, Awakening and the administration agencies except for what is required in self-defense, if some spies in these agencies try to stop the resistance or harm them.

 

 

 

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/02/world ... ?ref=world[/hide]

 

 

 

It seems some insurgent leaders aren't calling for sectarian conflict anymore. The fate of Iraq is still up in the air I guess, as there could be insurgents still seeking to destabilize it.