Obama declares America’s war in Iraq is over

He didn’t say “Mission accomplished”, but the implication was clear, as the president said the United States would meet its pledge to pull troops out of Iraq by the end of 2011. “The tide of war is receding”, he said.

He was speaking after a secure video conference with the Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, insisting that both countries were in full agreement over how to move forward, and that this new phase marked “a normal relationship between sovereign nations. An equal partnership based on mutual interests and mutual respect.”

He declared that the last American soldiers would leave Iraq “with their heads held high, proud of their success” – marking another key milestone in the conflict that began in 2003, claiming more than four thousand American lives, and costing more than seven hundred billion dollars.

Both sides have been negotiating over whether several thousand US troops would remain behind to work as military trainers and advisors – the Iraqis wanted them there, but wouldn’t agree to grant them immunity.

The White House said today that between 4-5,000 security contractors would remain in Iraq, and the US will continue to provide Iraq with military training. But as for the 39,000 American troops currently in the country, they’ll all be home within weeks, fulfilling a key promise that President Obama made when he ran for office.