June 30, 2009
Posted: June 30th, 2009 01:48 PM ET
 Iraqi soldiers join in a parade Tuesday in Karbala to mark the withdrawal of U.S. troops from cities and towns.
Iraqi soldiers join in a parade Tuesday in Karbala to mark the withdrawal of U.S. troops from cities and towns.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) - Tuesday marked the deadline for American troops to pull out of Iraq's towns and cities - a long-anticipated date that has been met by street festivals in Baghdad.

Celebrations were tempered, however, by fears of renewed violence as insurgents seek to use the date to stage new attacks.

At least 30 people, including women and children, were killed and 45 wounded Tuesday in a bombing in northern Iraq, a local police official said.

The blast took place in a busy commercial area in a predominantly Kurdish part of Kirkuk, destroying 20 shops and houses, the official said. Kirkuk is about 235 miles north of Baghdad.

Full story

Filed under: Iraq


Randolph Carter   June 30th, 2009 4:00 pm ET

Dave, the truthteller, was it worth 4,000+ American soldier's lives? Perhaps we should continue this nation building campaign. North Korea would be a good start. Then Iran. Then Pakistan. Then Somalia. Then Cuba. Yeah, we're really on a roll now. Don't forget Venezuela. It would all be practice for the big one: China. Have a nice day!

Chai-wallah   June 30th, 2009 3:54 pm ET

Nice ring to those words. "Cheer and Fear"

Cheer...Yeah...we are now top dog!

Fear...Holy crap, what will we do when we start killing each other?

I have mostly fear because there's no "what If" about Iraq; they love the in fighting and power struggle.

Fear of Iraq imploding or in other words; going to hell is more certain than peace. A nation as old as Iraq, yet as backward as the stone age is not a good feeling.

It seems the best satisfaction for Iraqi's is who controls what; the black gold under the sand is what's important and killing a few thousands will justify the end game "it seems"

Here we go again; another Lawrence of Arabia. He is nothing! Just a Bedouin! Yeah right! Until they learn to treat everyone the same, there will be no peace.

renea   June 30th, 2009 3:50 pm ET

The Iraquis can take care of themselves U.S. cant babysit them forever, they have to show other countrys that they rule.

Harley   June 30th, 2009 3:42 pm ET

It was a GREAT thing for Pres. Bush To make people FREE that is what are country STANDS for !!! If we didn't Germany would be the super power !!! GOD BLESS AMERICA I know the ACLU and the DEMS don't like what I said put there is allot of people who thinks the way I do !!!!! That is why Obama is going to be a one term Pres. I wish I didn't have to put Pres. before Obama the SOCIALIST.

Mike   June 30th, 2009 3:34 pm ET

Send them our bill.

Dont blame me   June 30th, 2009 3:27 pm ET

Well, this is right in line with the BUSH draw down to our forces in Iraq.

Remember that Obama had stated that ALL of our troops would be out of Iraq by July, not just withdrawn for the city.

But I'll bet that now 1 single lib will admit it.

Rob   June 30th, 2009 3:25 pm ET

Ironically enough, by the time Obama and the Dem-led carnival of idiots are all voted out of office, Iraq will probably be an economically stronger, safer country. Obama, Pelosi, Reid, & the other Dems are doing a fine of creating class warfare, class envy, destroying the economy and national security.

Kudos you Dems, you've done more in 6 months to destroy America than the terrorists were able to do in the last 8 years. Bravo!

Mike from Vancouver BC   June 30th, 2009 3:21 pm ET

The end of an error.

Dave, the truthteller   June 30th, 2009 3:01 pm ET

So, lib monkeys, if Iraq turns out to be a stable Democracy will you eat your words insulting Bush. Oh, I forgot that Libs never admit when their wrong. Oh, and don't even think to give Obama credit – all the policies that led to this were put in place before his gang had a chance to screw things up like they are the economy. Come on lib monkeys, please start your chattering.....

Once You Vote Black: PUMA, Sanford, Operation Chaos.   June 30th, 2009 2:56 pm ET

Well now things are really going to fall apart over there. Bush really got us in a big one.

European-American (formerly No Incumbents 2010, until some bleeding heart lib stole it)   June 30th, 2009 2:55 pm ET

This just in: President Obama remains silent except for saying it is not an American problem. Then the president stated that if Israel would just lay off the Palestinian terrorists the world would be a much safer place.

geecee   June 30th, 2009 2:53 pm ET

Sorry for the Iraqi people, but we can't stay there forever "keeping the peace." They are going to have to sort it out themselves. We have spent enough in lives and dollars (Bush/Cheney's fault). Time to get out of there.

jake   June 30th, 2009 2:50 pm ET

is time for the Iraqis to rule Iraq

twice as nice   June 30th, 2009 2:41 pm ET

about time.when are people goin to realize there will always be violence in the middle east.it's been like that for thousand of years.that's just the way it is.big up to prersident obama.

Mike   June 30th, 2009 2:39 pm ET

Send Dick Chaney to Iraq. He'll straighten them out. He can take them all quail hunting.

Obama Victim   June 30th, 2009 2:38 pm ET

wonder if they will be cheering when they start getting their heads chopped off agaiin?? well.............I guess not.............but you know what I mean

Paul from Kissimmee   June 30th, 2009 2:36 pm ET

I hope Iraq is ready for this. Only time will tell now. If Iraq falls into the hands of extremists, we will either have to go back or suffer the consequences. I'm happy for the troops coming home, and want to thank them for their service. Thank You!

Tomkat   June 30th, 2009 2:16 pm ET

Get out all together. Bring our military home to defend OUR borders. We are not wanted there. Let the Iraqi's kill each other over religion, it's been that way for centuries, who are we to meddle. Military blood for oil is wrong on so many levels. Get out now!

Randolph Carter   June 30th, 2009 2:13 pm ET

Whatever happened to that plan to have Iraqi oil profits pay for part of our occupation? Hmm... Don't hear too much about that these days. Have a nice day!

chris   June 30th, 2009 2:10 pm ET

Not our problem... just like Iran... not our problem. Lets fix our problems and lead by example, not force!

Denise   June 30th, 2009 2:09 pm ET

I'm glad we are leaving. Let them take care of temselves

Melissa   June 30th, 2009 2:03 pm ET

It sucks but its their problem now. They wanted it, we wanted it, now it has to be dealt with.

luis   June 30th, 2009 2:02 pm ET

It's great to see how far the Iraqi people have come with the help of our millitary. And to think some people wanted to call it quits not so long ago.

Larry   June 30th, 2009 2:00 pm ET

The insurgents have been waiting for this day. When they found out they couldn't defeat our forces they just took a "wait" attitude. They knew we wouldn't be there forever.

Let them have their Sunnis vs Shiites war. It's been going on since the beginning of time.

Both those wars need to end. They shouldn't have begun in the first place. 4320 American lives, 30,000 injured and maimed, and an estimated 100,000 innocent Iraqis killed–George Bush has a higher head count than Saddam Hussein had.

Bush and Cheney need to be tried as war criminals by the International Community.

Dutch/Bad Newz, VA   June 30th, 2009 1:53 pm ET

They wanted us gone and now we're pulling back. Although attacks have stepped up in recent weeks, as suspected, I think the Iraqi Army and police are ready to patrol their own streets. I can understand the Iraqis being afraid of us pulling out, but the cost of freedom is paid in blood. Our troops have spilled enough blood liberating the nation and now it's time for the Iraqis to take control.

Zero.   June 30th, 2009 1:52 pm ET

Now the Baby-Sitting begins.

jaye   June 30th, 2009 1:49 pm ET

This war needs to end.
AND, Bush and Cheney should have to go there and stay until its over.

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