The U.S. invasion of Saddam Hussein-ruled Iraq began on March 20, 2003.
Now, with Saddam dead and his regime ousted, with an elected Iraqi government installed, seven and a half years later – on Aug. 19, 2010 – the last U.S. combat troops departed from Iraq, leaving only 50,000 American military advisers engaged in training and supporting Iraqi soldiers.
What now? Is the Iraq war finally “over”? The White House declared the “end of combat in Iraq.”
Will Iraq’s elected government and Iraqi troops be able to maintain control despite continuing hostile actions that range from guerrilla attacks to suicidal bombings that indiscriminately murder innocent Iraqi civilians?
Many Americans are heaving sighs of relief. Many are troubled about the past years and the unpredictable future.
There is a noteworthy absence of people who are claiming any sort of “credit.” There will be many who will point fingers of blame, whatever happens next.
More than 4,400 Americans have died in Iraq, along with many thousands of Iraqis.
As many as a quarter of a million American troops have been in Iraq at times. How long will the 50,000 Americans remain?
What would have happened if the United States had not been engaged in seeking to stabilize the country? Speculation surely will continue as we watch carefully to see what elements will rise and what events will unfold.
President Barack Obama marked our troops’ withdrawal by saying, “I hope you’ll join me in thanking them, and all of our troops and military families, for their service.”
Yes, we should, indeed. They have made many great sacrifices.