Blue Star Chronicles

June 30, 2009 is the deadline for American Soldiers to leave Baghdad and other Iraq cities and towns. The US Troops, Iraq withdrawal is being implemented with mixed emotions and fears of an escalation in violence that has already begun. Read about it below and see photos and a video.

American Soldiers

American Troops have already begun pulling back to bases outside of the cities and towns of Iraq. As per an agreement between the U.S. and Iraq governments, any remaining U.S. Troops will serve in a support role only to the Iraqi Army. American Soldiers will not even be able to question suspected terrorists without the permission of the Iraqi government. That is not a position I like to see our Soldiers in. I don’t like our Soldiers having to answer to another government.

The pullout has been taking place gradually over the past few months. Tomorrow, June 30, 2009, iis the deadline for that pullout to be completed. The Obama Administration has closed down over 150 American bases in Iraq. This has coincided with an escalation of violence and bloodshed, which has been under reported in American media just as it was over reported during the Bush administration. Bombings at mosques and markets have increased significantly in the wake of US troop withdrawals. Al-Qaeda is said to be using this as an opportunity to re-start sectarian violence and division so that they can gain a foothold of control in the very young democracy.

Most Iraqis are concerned about the withdrawal of US Troops and the upsurge in terrorist attacks. Following the offensive action in 2003, American Soldiers have worked to rebuild the nation, provide security that would enable the people to vote and return to a ‘normal’ life. A great deal of progress had been made. Schools have been built, Iraqis have had successful democratic elections and violence had decreased dramatically.

There are fireworks in Baghdad in celebration of the end of this phase of that war. That’s understandable, but it doesn’t change the reality of the destabilizing affect this could have on that country. Now, Iraqi citizens are fearful of what will happen when American Soldiers leave Baghdad. We hope that it won’t be as disastrous as when the United States pulled out of Saigon, Vietnam in 1975.

So much progress has been made and the blood of 4,300 American Soldiers soaks the sands of that country. We hope, we pray, that the sacrifices of those who lost their lives and the many more whose lives were forever changed will not have been for nothing because of a precipitous politically motivated withdrawal. Those Soldiers made untold sacrifices to provide a safe democracy in the middle of the Middle East and a standing American Army on both sides of Iran, both of which provide us with more safety from radicalized islamic extremists.

So today, we watch as American Soldiers leave Baghdad. The jury is still out on what affect the US Troops, Iraq withdrawal will have on the future of Iraq, the Middle East and the safety of the West. We hope enough work was accomplished that the Iraqi government will be able to stand on its own.

More pictures and a video can be seen below.

American Soldiers - Photos