Nearing a milestone in the long and divisive Iraq war, President Barack Obama on Monday hailed this month’s planned withdrawal of all U.S. combat troops, “as promised and on schedule”, as a major success despite deep doubts about the Iraqis’ ability to police and govern their country.
Portraying the end of America’s combat role in the seven—year war as a personal promise kept, Mr. Obama said Iraq will have 90,000 fewer U.S. troops by September than when he took office, a steady homeward flow he called “a season of homecomings.” But there could still be more fighting involving U.S. forces.
“The hard truth is we have not seen the end of American sacrifice in Iraq,” the president said in a speech to the national convention of the Disabled American Veterans. “But make no mistake, our commitment in Iraq is changing, from a military effort led by our troops to a civilian effort led by our diplomats.”
A transitional force of 50,000 troops will remain, down from the peak of 170,000 in 2007. Their mission will be to train and advise Iraqi security forces, protect U.S. civilians, manage the chain of supplies and equipment out of Iraq and conduct counterterrorism operations.
Those soldiers and Marines will remain in harm’s way and will be likely to engage at times in some form of fighting. Iraqi commanders will be able to ask the U.S. for front—line help.
All American troops are to leave Iraq by the end of next year, as mandated under an agreement negotiated before Obama took office, between the Iraqis and President George W. Bush.
Mr. Obama’s speech on Monday was the first of many, with appearances planned throughout the month by the president, Vice President Joe Biden and other administration officials. The schedule reflects a White House eager, with pivotal congressional elections approaching, for achievements to tout, especially in areas with the emotional significance of the Iraq war.
Mr. Obama’s campaign pledge to oversee a speedy conclusion to the U.S. fighting was the promise that most defined his presidential campaign, and it brought him significant support.
Actually, while running for the White House, he said he would remove one or two brigades a month from Iraq to achieve an end to combat operations within 16 months of taking office. Instead, shortly after becoming president, Mr. Obama settled on a slower plan, to remove all combat troops within 19 months, and not at the pace of one brigade per month but on a more backloaded timetable.
Those were concessions to the military that disappointed Obama’s anti—war base of support.
Mr. Obama’s celebratory rhetoric on Monday brushed past some of the more grim realities in today’s Iraq.
Leaders there remain at a political impasse that has prevented the formation of a new government for the nearly five months since parliamentary elections did not produce a clear winner.
In a reminder of Iraq’s fragility, two bombings and a drive—by shooting killed eight people there on Monday just hours before Mr. Obama spoke.
With such attacks remaining a daily occurrence, especially in Baghdad, questions persist about the readiness of Iraqi security forces to take over for the Americans and hold back insurgents. Mr. Obama said, “Violence in Iraq continues to be near the lowest it’s been in years,” but figures released by Iraqi authorities over the weekend, dismissed by the U.S. military as too high, showed July to be the deadliest month for Iraqis in more than two years.
Frustration over the political deadlock has come on top of widespread Iraqi anger over the government’s failure to improve basic services such as electricity and drinking water.
With billions of dollars already spent to improve electricity since the U.S.—led invasion in 2003, households in Baghdad continue to suffer lengthy power outages. That’s a particularly sore subject with Iraqis since the summer months routinely see 115—degree (46—degree Celsius) days and buying electricity from privately owned neighbourhood generators is beyond the reach of many.
Some long-time Iraq observers worry that the country’s sectarian divisions could widen in the months ahead.
“Much of the violence has occurred because there is no government, because nobody knows what the future is,” said Anthony Cordesman, a military analyst at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies who has periodically advised top U.S. commanders in Baghdad.
However, military officials say that neither Iraqi political turmoil nor the continuing violence will change the departure plan. Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited Iraq last week and came away confident that the switch to a fully advisory role can occur as planned, his spokesman said Monday.
Also, Mr. Cordesman said that if the Obama administration were to extend the combat mission beyond August 31 or seek to renegotiate the December 2011 withdrawal, the U.S. would be seen by many Iraqis as reverting to the role of an occupier.
At the same time Mr. Obama has drawn down forces in Iraq, he has increased the U.S. commitment in Afghanistan, ordering a surge of 30,000 additional troops for the nine—year mission there.
