5000 US troops to withdraw from Iraq

[Barrett808]

Source: Agence France-Presse

ABOUT 5000 US troops will head home later this month as part of a withdrawal plan announced by President George W. Bush.

"Current conditions allow for a withdrawal of the first unit, the Grey Wolf Brigade, starting on November 27th,'' , military spokesman Rear Admiral Gregory Smith said today.

The brigade would not be replaced and the drawdown was an indication of "overall improved security within Iraq as well as the improved capabilities of the Iraqi security forces".

The brigade has been deployed in restive Diyala province where a series of military crackdowns have been launched targeting al-Qaeda militants.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22817154-5001028,00.html

[goddess40]

1. but how many will be going back soon after?

It's all smoke and mirrors

[tularetom]

2. I knew it - THE SURGE WORKED and now we can begin to withdraw troops

Just in time to deprive the Democrats of a vital campaign platform.

They'll keep withdrawing small groups until a new repub pres is inaugurated and then watch al qaeda suddenly ragain strength.

[SyntaxError]

9. More like, it didn't work so now we're retreating.

[L0oniX]

3. big woopteedoo

[Imalittleteapot]

4. Troops coming home - or

just a normal rotation? This is all propaganda.

[ohio2007]

6. Here is the secret propaganda plan ( as known by the NY Times )

Plan Increases Role of G.I.’s in Iraq Training


WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 — With violence in Iraq on the decline and a quarter of American combat brigades scheduled to leave by July, commanders plan to give the remaining brigades an expanded role in training and supporting Iraqi forces, according to officials involved in a confidential military review of the next phase of the American troop deployment.

The plan, not yet in final form, is intended to transfer more of the security burden in Iraq to the Iraqis without giving up the gains that the Americans have made in recent months ....
snip

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/23/world/middleeast/23training.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

25% of the combat brigades out by the end of July....just in time before the GOP convention.... ;)
yes,
it all makes sense now
/sarc

[indypaul]

10. Exactly:

3,500 Ind Nat Guard deploying early next year. That's
three thousand five hundred. More "Mission Accomplished"
B.S.

[ohio2007]

5. As Democrats See Iraq Gains, a Shift in Tone

NY Times;
snip
Advisers to Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama say that the candidates have watched security conditions improve after the troop escalation in Iraq and concluded that it would be folly not to acknowledge those gains.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/25/us/politics/25dems.html?ei=5065&en=790f06535d9a5ea7&ex=1196571600&adxnnl=1&partner=MYWAY&adxnnlx=1195930847-xrlMleXS/EfHPOXHzQDwig

Some may call it propaganda, others see it as a chance to reduce the footprint.

[rockybelt]

7. Current conditions

have nothing to do with the troop withdrawl. These troops were already scheduled to draw down.
The surge has nothing to do with it. Ethnic cleansing has taken place in many areas thereby lowering the number of bodies found. Besides, it depends on how you categorize the bodies, ie. crime, suicide, accident, etc. as to how many were killed because of the insurgency.

Oh, by the way, how about Afghanistan? No reason to worry about the Taliban is there?
Syria has completely calmed down now.
Israel is peaceful.
Lebanon-no problem there.
Pakistan-about as democratic as you can get.
Iran OH MY GOD!!! Building bombs. arming insurgency,building bomb. Surely this must be the gates to hell. Building bomb.
Palastine. Why discuss, there is no Palastine.
Saudi Arabia. They are our friends. They would never do anything to harm US.
Egypt. Just wait.
IRAN> Building bomb. Building bomb. ATTACK! ATTACK! ATTACK!

[humbled_opinion]

8. The hypnosis of America...n/t

[Barrett808]

11. Update: US says number of troops in Diyala will increase despite withdrawal of brigade next month

BAGHDAD (AP) - The U.S. says even as overall troop levels in Iraq go down, there will be an injection of soldiers into the country's restive Diyala (dee-YAH'-lah) province.

A U.S. military spokesman in Baghdad says the increase will be about 2,400 troops due to repositioning. But he stresses that the overall U.S. force in Iraq will be reduced by 5,000.

He says a brigade of about 5,000 will be home by next month.

The comments underscore recent warnings by American commanders that northern Iraq has become more violent than other regions despite a nationwide decline in attacks.

http://www.kfvs12.com/Global/story.asp?S=7404593

[ohio2007]

12. The # of Iraqi troops are taking on a larger role in the upcomming surge

They have got to communicate better if they want the US to downsize its footprint.

[JPZenger]

13. At this rate, we'll be out by 2015

Let's see: If there is a net reduction of 5,000 troops every 3 months, we will be out of Iraq by the end of 2015.