| The number of American troops in Iraq has been reduced to 49.7 thousand people, the commander of US forces in Iraq, General Raymond Odierno, told reporters yesterday. This means that the American plan agreed upon with the Iraqi authorities, which provided for a reduction of the American contingent by September 1 to 50 thousand people, was carried out ahead of schedule. The final withdrawal of American soldiers from Iraq is scheduled for the end of 2011. Previously, General Odierno stated that "if the government of Iraq asks for technical assistance in deploying systems that will allow them to protect themselves from external threats, then we could remain here beyond 2011."
Now the combat mission of the American troops is finally completed. The strategy for using the remaining US troops in Iraq has been called "New Dawn". It provides training for Iraqi soldiers and police to effectively counter terrorists from al-Qaeda and other extremist groups while protecting civilians. The Iraqi army began to assume these functions in June 2009, when US troops withdrew from major cities. However, if necessary, the Americans themselves will repel armed attacks by extremists on their bases. Boris KAIMAKOV | |
