Baghdad: The US military command in Baghdad said on Friday that the number of forces still stationed in Iraq was 52,000, lower than the figure given on Thursday under the final pullout of combat troops.
On Thursday it was said that 56,000 soldiers were still deployed in Iraq. But the military command said that was based on data from August 17 and was already outdated.
Under the military drawdown plans, the US troop strength in Iraq is to be cut down to 50,000 by September 1, with their mission to be in supporting and training regular Iraqi forces but not having combat duties.
These US forces are to be withdrawn by the end of 2011. The US military command in Baghdad said the timetable would be strictly adhered to....
more
03:33 PM, Aug 20, 2010
