And so it begins. As the Obama Administration envelops itself in its renewed focus in Afghanistan, Iraqis are celebrating the beginnings of a draw down that’s been awaited for a long time. Coalition forces have begun to cease combat operations in urban centers throughout the country. In fact, coalition forces will no longer operate unilaterally in any capacity in all of Iraq.
Despite the Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki declaring today a national holiday, “National Sovereignty Day” in fact, those elements opposed to a free and stable Iraq have attempted to exploit vulnerabilities associated with today’s festivities, ultimately killing scores of civilians in Kirkuk. Closer to home, at least five American Soldiers, four in Baghdad, were also killed today, highlighting the complexities of lowering the security posture in place where military checkpoints, combat outposts, and heavily armed presence patrols have been a normal part of life for the better part of the decade.
The drawdown has a long way to go, but today was a significant step forward in seeing Operation Iraqi Freedom through to its end. Despite the actions of a violent few, Iraq has better days ahead of her, and as reluctant as she may be, we’re still watching her 6. As we work to get each and every Soldier, sailor, airman, and Marine back home safe and sound, let’s just hope she’s watching ours.
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