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US Begins Surge Reversal

One brigade is heading home; others will follow in coming months

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 13, 2007 9:45 AM CST
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(Newser) – The US is slowly beginning to reduce the number of troops deployed in Iraq, the first real test of whether the surge has been effective, the AP says. One of 20 combat brigades is heading home now, and another four will leave by July, dropping the number of troops in Iraq from 167,000 to between 140,000 and 145,000.

This has been the deadliest year for the US so far, thanks to increased troop levels and a greater street presence. The withdrawal will test the willingness of Iraqis to take over security. “The Iraqi people have just decided they've had it up to here with violence,” one major general said. The question is whether they’ll revert to sectarian mindsets without US oversight.

Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, the no. 2 commander of U.S. troops in Iraq, is seen during a meeting with with tribal leaders in Quarghuli Village, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007. Lt. Gen. Odierno paid a visit to the village to thank...
Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, the no. 2 commander of U.S. troops in Iraq, is seen during a meeting with with tribal leaders in Quarghuli Village, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday,...   (Associated Press)
Members of the U.S. Army 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division listen as gunfire erupts during a joint operation with the Iraqi army in the town of Buhriz Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007. The 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry is leaving Iraq, as the troop surge ends....
Members of the U.S. Army 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division listen as gunfire erupts during a joint operation with the Iraqi army in the town of Buhriz Thursday, Feb....   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by U.S. Army, Spc. Miguel Luzunaris, left, and Pfc. Matthew Taylor, 1-12 Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, patrol together through palm groves in Judidah, some 50 kilometers (31 miles) northeast of Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, May 10, 2007. The 3rd Brigade...
In this photo released by U.S. Army, Spc. Miguel Luzunaris, left, and Pfc. Matthew Taylor, 1-12 Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, patrol together through palm groves...   (Associated Press)
A British military vehicle leaves the city of Basra in this file photo. Some US troops will head into the sunset soon themselves, as the surge draws to a close. (AP Photo/Cpl Steve Follows/MOD/ho)
A British military vehicle leaves the city of Basra in this file photo. Some US troops will head into the sunset soon themselves, as the surge draws to a close. (AP Photo/Cpl Steve Follows/MOD/ho)   (Associated Press)
The US is slowly beginning to reverse the troop 'surge' into Iraq.
The US is slowly beginning to reverse the troop 'surge' into Iraq.   (Getty Images)
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Surge worked: Now do we have an exit strategy?
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