U.S. hands over last Iraqi military base
- 12 years ago
The handshake that confirms it: the US military hands over its last base in Iraq.
Camp Adder, also known as Imam Ali Airbase, about 185 miles south of Baghdad, was officially transferred to the Iraqi government in a low-key ceremony on Friday.
The move marks the end of nine years of U.S. presence in the country, as government representative Hussein al-Alladi proudly pointed out.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) REPRESENTATIVE OF IRAQI PRIME MINISTER NURI AL-MALIKI, HUSSEIN AL-ASSADI, SAYING:
" Today we have turned the last page of the occupation and we, therefore, announce the departure of the last American combat soldier from Iraqi soil."
Violence in Iraq has dropped sharply since the sectarian conflict in 2006-2007 but Iraqi forces are still battling a Sunni Islamist insurgency.
Both U.S. and Iraqi officials say local armed forces can contain the violence though help is needed to build up defences.
Now only civilian trainers will remain in Iraq to help teach forces how to use extensive U.S.-made hardware they have recently purchased.
Sunita Rappai, Reuters
Camp Adder, also known as Imam Ali Airbase, about 185 miles south of Baghdad, was officially transferred to the Iraqi government in a low-key ceremony on Friday.
The move marks the end of nine years of U.S. presence in the country, as government representative Hussein al-Alladi proudly pointed out.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) REPRESENTATIVE OF IRAQI PRIME MINISTER NURI AL-MALIKI, HUSSEIN AL-ASSADI, SAYING:
" Today we have turned the last page of the occupation and we, therefore, announce the departure of the last American combat soldier from Iraqi soil."
Violence in Iraq has dropped sharply since the sectarian conflict in 2006-2007 but Iraqi forces are still battling a Sunni Islamist insurgency.
Both U.S. and Iraqi officials say local armed forces can contain the violence though help is needed to build up defences.
Now only civilian trainers will remain in Iraq to help teach forces how to use extensive U.S.-made hardware they have recently purchased.
Sunita Rappai, Reuters