09 September 2008

United States Withdrawing 8,000 Troops from Iraq by February

Drawdown attributed to lessening levels of violence

President Bush serves turkey during a Thanksgiving dinner with U.S. forces in Iraq.

By Merle D. Kellerhals Jr.
Staff Writer

Washington — Improving security across Iraq, coupled with a sustained reduction in the levels of violence, is making it possible for the United States to reduce its forces by nearly 8,000 personnel by February 2009.

"While the enemy in Iraq is still dangerous, we have seized the offensive, and Iraqi forces are becoming increasingly capable of leading and winning the fight," President Bush said.  "As a result, we have been able to carry out a policy of 'return on success' — reducing American combat forces in Iraq as conditions on the ground continue to improve."

After receiving a detailed assessment of troop levels and the improving security situation in Iraq from U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker and coalition forces commander General David Petraeus earlier this month, Bush said the United States will withdraw 3,400 combat support personnel over the next several months.  That drawdown will include personnel assigned to aviation units, explosive ordnance teams, combat and construction engineer units, military police and logistical support units.

By November a Marine battalion now serving in Anbar province will be withdrawn.  And in February another Army combat brigade will be withdrawn.

Bush noted that on September 1 Iraqi forces assumed control of security for Anbar province.  "Iraqi forces are now leading security operations across Anbar, with American troops in an ‘overwatch’ role," he said.

"This amounts to about 8,000 additional American troops returning home without replacement," Bush said September 9 in an address at the National Defense University.

The five Army combat brigades, Marine expeditionary unit and two Marine battalions that had composed the “surge” force were previously withdrawn and have not been replaced.

The drawdown reflects a desire to give Iraqis greater responsibility for their own security while not jeopardizing hard-won security gains.

"The reduced levels of violence in Iraq have now been sustained for several months.  While the progress in Iraq is still fragile and reversible, General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker report that there now appears to be a ‘degree of durability’ to the gains we have made," Bush said.

The drawdown will leave about 138,000 U.S. personnel in Iraq by next March from a current level of approximately 146,000 troops.  At its peak during the surge, the United States had 160,000 personnel in Iraq.

TWO AGREEMENTS

Bush said the United States will continue negotiating with the Iraqi government on a Strategic Framework Agreement that will define the U.S. role in defending Iraq from internal and external threats, its support of political reconciliation, and efforts to confront terrorist groups.

The United States is also negotiating a Status of Forces Agreement that defines the rights and obligations of the U.S.-led coalition forces in Iraq, including everything from how soldiers wear their uniforms and use their weapons to mundane subjects like mail delivery and laundry services.  The agreement also covers legal jurisdiction over foreign forces.  Similar agreements governing U.S. military conduct in Germany, Japan and South Korea have been in place for more than 50 years.

"These agreements will serve as the foundation for America’s continued security support to Iraq once the United Nations resolution authorizing the multinational forces expires on December 31," Bush said. "And they will allow us to establish a bilateral relationship between the United States and Iraq like those we have with dozens of other countries around the world."

"QUIET SURGE"

Working closely with NATO forces and other allies, the United States has added forces in Afghanistan, representing what Bush called a "quiet surge."

It became necessary, Bush said, because of a renewed push by Taliban and al-Qaida forces to undermine the legitimate government of Afghanistan.

"In all, the number of American troops in the country increased from less than 21,000 two years ago to nearly 31,000 today," he said.  "The number of coalition troops — including NATO troops — increased from about 20,000 to about 31,000."

Bush said the number of trained Afghan army and police personnel has increased from less than 67,000 to nearly 144,000.

"These troop increases have made a difference, yet huge challenges in Afghanistan remain," he said.  "Afghanistan's success is critical to the security of America and our partners in the free world."

But Bush said more must be done, and he announced that the United States will deploy more troops to Afghanistan.  A Marine battalion originally scheduled for Iraq will be sent instead to Afghanistan in November.  And an Army combat brigade will follow in January, the president said.

"The mission of these forces will be to work with Afghan forces to provide security for the Afghan people, protect Afghanistan's infrastructure and democratic institutions and help ensure access to services like education and health care," Bush said.

Bush said the United States will offer every effort to help Pakistan defeat Taliban and al-Qaida insurgents who have been using the remote regions along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border as a safe haven.

See the text of Bush's remarks.