Next Tuesday the United States troops are set to pull out of the main cities of Iraq waiting in bases in case Iraqi troops need assistance. It is the first major step in the withdrawal effort. The troops will only come back to the cities if they receive a request for help from Iraqi forces.
US soldiers and vehicles will routinely patrol the region for an undisclosed amount of time.
While this is all good news, I am still somewhat concerned about the Iraqi military’s ability to fight against insurgents. It is suspected that once the US troops fully withdrawal that there will be a barrage of attacks in Iraq. What will happen at that point, will the United States be forced to send aid? Can the Iraqi police handle militias and rebels?
I have to admit that I am somewhat uncertain about our withdrawal. I recognize that it eventually needs to be done but I fear that in withdrawing too soon, we will leave the country to be devoured by miscreants.
The Iraqi Minister Jawad al-Bolani voiced his confidence about the US pullout stating, “The security forces have the capability to face these challenges.”
Do you believe that the Iraqi police can handle what lies ahead? Are we doing the right thing in pulling out now? Is there a better way to handle this situation?
