Iraq Pullout Won't End US Combat Role

[unhappycamper]

Iraq Pullout Won't End US Combat Role
February 26, 2009
Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Some of the U.S. forces likely to remain in Iraq after President Barack Obama fulfills his pledge to withdraw combat troops would still have a combat role fighting suspected terrorists, the Pentagon said Wednesday.

Obama plans to announce his withdrawal strategy as early as Friday. He will travel that day to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, the White House announced Wednesday.

While there, Obama is expected to outline a compromise withdrawal plan that leaves behind as many as 50,000 troops for cleanup and protection operations.

"The president will thank the Marines and their families for their incredible sacrifice, and will outline his plan for a way forward in Iraq," said a senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the plan has not been announced.

Although most of the fighting forces would be withdrawn in the next 18 months, some troops could remain in Iraq for years to come. An agreement forged by the Bush administration with Iraqi officials requires removal of all U.S. forces by 2012.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/iraq-pullout-wont-end-us-combat-role.html



uhc comment: In case you missed it the headline reads:

Iraq Pullout Won't End US Combat Role

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