Maturing Iraqi Army Enabled US Troop Deal

2011 withdrawal probable thanks to tougher local forces

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 22, 2008 10:40 AM CDT

(Newser) – The US's preliminary agreement with Iraq to withdraw most combat troops by 2011 would have been unthinkable even a few months ago. Declining levels of violence, a ceasefire with the Mahdi Army, and the about-face of Sunni leaders have all helped, the Wall Street Journal reports, but for the administration, one factor trumps all others: the strengthening of the Iraqi army from ragtag force to legitimate operation.

In the first years after the fall of Saddam Hussein, the heaviest fighting often fell to American forces as Iraqi soldiers fled the battlefield. But now the Iraqis are mounting large-scale maneuvers on their own, particularly in dangerous Diyala province. One US general praised the Iraqi effort, saying, "History is replete with armed forces having to get bloodied a little bit before they get better."

Iraqi Army soldiers conduct house raids in west Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Loay Hameed)

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, speaks at a press conference in Baghdad. (AP Photo)

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, left, and Iraq's foreign minister, Hoshyar Zebari, shake hands at a press conference in Baghdad. (AP Photo)

Iraqi Army soldiers conduct house raids in west Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Loay Hameed)

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Maturing Iraqi Army Enabled US Troop Deal

2011 withdrawal probable thanks to tougher local forces

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Iraq PM says a 16-month schedule to withdraw sounds about right

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2011 withdrawal probable thanks to tougher local forces

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Iraq • Mahdi Army • troop withdrawal • Iraq Army • Diyala Province • Iraq war • Iraq exit strategy

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Iraqi Troops: 'We're Not Ready to Go It Alone'

Officers decry lack of equipment; US pushes independence

US, Iraqi Forces Launch Major Offensive

Diyala target of big push

Maliki Backs Obama Iraq Plan

Iraq PM says a 16-month schedule to withdraw sounds about right

Iraqis Buck US, Flee Front Line in Sadr City Fight

'We don’t see any progress being made at all,' American soldier says

Death of Sadr Aide Sparks Battles in Baghdad

Iraqi prez condemns attacks but meets al-Sadr MPs

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