Combat in Iraq Continues Despite Obama Declaration

In an attempt to keep its stories straight among reporters regarding the ongoing situation in Iraq, Associated Press standards editor Tom Kent reportedly circulated a this memo last week, informing reporters that contrary to the administration’s claims  – which the president outlined in a primetime address early last week — combat operations in Iraq are not over for U.S. troops:

Whatever the subject, we should be correct and consistent in our description of what the situation in Iraq is. This guidance summarizes the situation and suggests wording to use and avoid.

To begin with, combat in Iraq is not over, and we should not uncritically repeat suggestions that it is, even if they come from senior officials. The situation on the ground in Iraq is no different today than it has been for some months. Iraqi security forces are still fighting Sunni and al-Qaida insurgents. … Our own reporting on the ground confirms that some [American] troops, especially some 4,500 special operations forces, continue to be directly engaged in military operations. These troops are accompanying Iraqi soldiers into battle with militant groups and may well fire and be fired on.

Since the AP memo surfaced, numerous reports have confirmed the news agency’s skepticism.  The Army Times has noted that a number of combat brigades are remaining engaged in combat, just classified under a different name:

Soldiers from the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the 25th Infantry Division are deployed in Iraq as members of an Advise and Assist Brigade, the Army’s designation for brigades selected to conduct security force assistance.

So while the “last full U.S. combat brigade” have left Iraq, just under 50,000 soldiers from specially trained heavy, infantry and Stryker brigades will stay, as well as two combat aviation brigades.

On Sunday, the AP reported that U.S. forces had joined Iraqi forces in battling off heavily armed militants in the middle of Baghdad.   The deadly scuffle marked U.S. troops‘ first exchange of fire since the president’s Aug. 31 deadline for ending the American combat mission.  Despite the president’s declaration, American troops remaining in Iraq are still being drawn into the fire.

The Sunday exchange also beings attention to the kind of lapses in overall security which have left many Iraqis concerned about the drawdown of American forces.  These remaining threats to Iraq and the American troops stationed there may explain why President Obama stopped short of declaring “mission accomplished.” In addition, they may also retrospectively explain why Defense Secretary Robert Gates displayed especially cautious optimism about the drawdown, saying “This is not a time for premature victory parades or self-congratulations.”

Comments (47)

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  • JG2012
    Posted on September 6, 2010 at 10:39am

    We need to keep training Iraqi troops, but we need to get our combat forces out. ALL of them.

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  • Deutscher
    Posted on September 6, 2010 at 10:34am

    Everyone seems be sure that everything the President says is a lie. What is the lie here exactly? I’m not seeing it. In truth no one is 100% right (or wrong) all the time. When you say otherwise you show yourself to be a hater with no real point.

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  • EVANGELINE
    Posted on September 6, 2010 at 9:47am

    What is missing from the news reports is that many soldiers are NOW BEING DEPLOYED to Iraq. Sure, some are coming home, but they are being replaced by others. POTUS again thinks he can manipulate our minds.

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  • tisherself
    Posted on September 6, 2010 at 9:43am

    Do you mean that the annointed one waved his magic wand and it didn’t work? Say it ain’t so, Maynard. “The war is over”. The economy is on the right path”. “The majority of people want healthcare reform”. If you don’t understand, He will explain it to you again. Just shut up and “follow the yellow brick road”.

    Report Post » tisherself  
  • Jack007
    Posted on September 6, 2010 at 9:24am

    The LIAR & CHIEF Strikes again = What Else Is New!

    Report Post » Jack007  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on September 6, 2010 at 8:59am

    Obama lied and peple died. Isn’t that how it goes liberals?

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • ilikai
    Posted on September 6, 2010 at 8:43am

    This is just like the early 60′s when we were in Vietnam as “advisors” and losing soldiers in combat. Now we have this in Iraq while we wait for them to get on their feet. It’s now a civil war there, the Shiites against the Sunni and Al Queda and will never end.

    Report Post » ilikai  
  • 79USMC83
    Posted on September 6, 2010 at 8:35am

    There is only ONE war and it is against JIHADISTS. It started being fought on many fronts years before Sept.11,2001 by the JIHADIST. Iraq and Afghanistan are the two major fronts today since America decided to fight back after Sept.11,2001 . IRAN is the major THREAT and most RADICAL ISLAMIC STATE in its talk,supplier of equipment and supporter of the groups that use TERROR TACTICS. It has military units on both sides of Israel for years. Hamas and Hezbollah.
    Combat in Iraq ENDING is just a Dog and Pony show by the “Speech Giver”. This President is the most dangerous man to be in place during one of the most dangerous times in History. A RADICAL ISLAMIC STATE getting close to the BOMB!!!

    We entered Afghanistan in 2001 with 800 spec ops and CIA to call in heavy bomber air strikes.
    In 2003 we went into Iraq. Since this time the boots on the ground in both FRONTS averaged close to 180,000 troops plus support troops in the smaller logistical supply countries.

    We still have 180,000 boots on the ground!!!!!! We have just re-deployed them from one side of Iran to the other!! Now Iraq has 50,000 and Afghanistan is having a SURGE to 130,000. Yes there is still combat in Iraq because there still is JIHADISTS there with IRANIAN support trying to kill INFIDELS.

    The one thing we do not talk about much is that America is a front in this war also. JIHADIST like the Fort Hood Pig and the recent NYC car bomber are plotting!!!! So I guess you could say America is still a combat zone!!

    The

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    • missmarie
      Posted on September 6, 2010 at 9:44am

      How very frightening … but I know you are absolutely correct. I appreciate your direct approach.

      Here’s the thing Obama or whoever is speaking….Just tell me the truth. I CAN handle the truth. It is digested much quicker and easier than the falsehoods you’ve been spewing. I just have no confidence in this particular administration to even know what the truth is, let alone speak it.

      Report Post » missmarie  
    • 79USMC83
      Posted on September 6, 2010 at 10:21am

      Like Beck says, I hope I am wrong and also “The Truth Will Set You Free” Your reply is right on the mark WE THE PEOPLE have been lied to for years. The “Speech Giver” (Obama) is the worst of the worst,or should I say best. What comes out of his mouth to one group will be changed the next day talking to another and he does not blink an eye!!!! Again “ The end justifies the means” when it come to HIDDEN AGENDA” In a way IRAN has more HONOR saying they want to destroy Israel. Even though we know it is pure EVIL!! The west is all hung up on being POLITICALLY CORRECT!! and to do this means NEVER giving a straight answer or lying!!

      Report Post »  
  • dtaglione
    Posted on September 6, 2010 at 8:29am

    When Bush was president. Almost everyday there was a death count on the front page. Now NOTHING. It’s as if, our troops are in no danger at all. I agree Obama is Poison fruit. No good will come from him. Educate your children. Let them understand and see evil so that they may protect themselves.

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    • KMNGTM
      Posted on September 6, 2010 at 8:50am

      LBJ did the same thing… in his policy of ‘minimum candor” in dealing with the media. If we ‘hear no evil, see no evil…. then the American people, with their short term memories, will soon forget. This is something I will not do… Never Forget. And if one never knew… please learn, for this road we are on looks very familiar.

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  • brian8793
    Posted on September 6, 2010 at 7:46am

    So basically Obama didn’t stop the war, he just made it more difficult for the troops that are there.

    Report Post » brian8793  
    • dtaglione
      Posted on September 6, 2010 at 8:26am

      I couldn’t agree more. The troops that are left behind are in serious peril.
      Pray for them.

      Report Post »  
  • UprootedYankee
    Posted on September 6, 2010 at 7:08am

    Mission Accomplished!

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  • Phoenician
    Posted on September 6, 2010 at 6:43am

    God bless our all of our Troops and the Troops that are still fighting in Iraq, just under a different name! May they ALL come home safely, and may this president quit lying about them leaving, and using them for his ulterior motives — votes.

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  • red penny
    Posted on September 6, 2010 at 5:44am

    This whole thing has reminded of “NAM” from day one!! We repeat the same mistakes over and over–we never seem to learn. LBJ and NIXON tried to run the war in “NAM” from the oval office–I saw the results of this first handed–it didn‘t work then and it won’t work now——-I wish we had never gone into Iraq because I know that we as a nation don’t have the will to be as cruel and viscious as our enemy. We usually force our military to fight with one hand tied behind their backs—–the military didn’t lose in “Nam”—-the politicans lost there and it’ll end up the same in Iraq!!

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    • KMNGTM
      Posted on September 6, 2010 at 8:28am

      Right on Red. First Iraq ‘n the WMD [ie Tonkin Gulf] then on to Af-nam-istan for the ‘hearts ’n minds. There are so many parallels that one would think that the ghosts of LBJ [who BTW was more concerned with his progressive 'Great Society' than the war] and Kissinger were still in the ‘war room’. And it is my concern that given similiar parameters…. similiar results will follow. I see nothing good here except for possibly the 2012 DNC looking like the 1968 Convention in Chicago.

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  • Impaler
    Posted on September 6, 2010 at 5:38am

    It is as simple as when the “O” speaks, think the opposite.

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  • usualsuspect
    Posted on September 6, 2010 at 5:20am

    I am truly wondering how long after this turns out to be A nightmare before Obama Joe and his Thugs blame it on Bush

    Report Post » usualsuspect  
  • TacomaWA253
    Posted on September 6, 2010 at 2:59am

    matthew 24? nation rising up agaist nation, and kingdom agaist kingdom? were not leaving the middle east where simply moving over a couple countries. we have an enemy of the united states clear cut and dry enemies and we’re leaving? ok cause that makes sense. we have an enemy of the US in charge of this country. i think obama and many of rats could easily run this country into the ground and the skip town. some counties looooove obama, and hes soooo anti american. hes not even a wolf in sheeps clothing hes just plain a wolf. im 24 and from the way things look right my country that i am so proud of is falling apart. i know propaganda when i see it, and america ani’t looking so free anymore. i really think we are living in end times and i really think its not gunna be long before we’re being takin away and judged for loving Jesus. i can just look at obama and see the evil that spews from everything he does. hes a bad tree and can not produce good fruit. and the seeds hes sown need to be ripped out of the ground and burned! the bible says that justice will always be served and nothing could be more true. its just hard watching the whole amazing thing we call america being changed, but you know what i dont even care what they try and do, i am, and always will be proud to be an american!

    Report Post » TacomaWA253  
  • Michael_912
    Posted on September 6, 2010 at 2:43am

    Switch the name of our soldier’s mission so it could be sold as “ending a combat mission”. Obama is playing games with our men and women in uniform to suit his own desperate political needs. Viet Nam comes to mind, especially since we are doing the exact same thing; calling our troops “advisers” and not changing a thing about what they are doing. Our POTUS just took a page from an old dirty playbook for his own political purposes. Has he no shame?

    A war and surge that he adamantly opposed as a Senator, had no influence with the success or failure of, and is now trying to take credit for “ending”, is as foriegn in concept to him as it is geographically. He is about as qualified to be commander in chief as he is to be president.

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  • Main Man Madison
    Posted on September 6, 2010 at 2:00am

    Does anyone else think this sounds a little too much like the Ministry of Truth right now? They simply assert that we’re not at war, yet we clearly are still there and clearly are involved in combat roles?

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  • kudzu35
    Posted on September 6, 2010 at 1:45am

    My unit deployed a few folks there this past month. When they arrive they will still be given the required amount of ammunition and force protection equipment. One thing to keep in mind is that American units will still support their Iraqi counterparts and that means… combat.

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  • Large Eagle
    Posted on September 6, 2010 at 12:32am

    We spent a billion dollars on the embassy in Iraq – we ain‘t leave’n – Obama & ALL politicians lie when the truth would to twice as good.

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    • LesterWillox
      Posted on September 6, 2010 at 9:00am

      Well, of course we’re going to leave an embassy. We’re also going to leave quite a number of troops. There are still more than 50000 American troops stationed in Germany, more than 65 years after the end of WW2 in Europe, 20 years after the end of the cold war.. I‘d wager it won’t be much different in Iraq or Afghanistan.

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  • missmarie
    Posted on September 6, 2010 at 12:11am

    Lord, the sons and daughters of the United States, who are fighting to keep the freedom you have bestowed upon us, need your protection. Please, Lord, cover them with your armor, secure them in your arms, and return them to a grateful, free nation. Lord, fill their commanders with courage and strength, integrity and honor, and most importantly, the knowledge that we stand with them in spirit. Lord, grant their families strength while their loved ones are absent and fill their lives with caring people willing to help them through this difficult time. Lord, I pray that all our military personnel find comfort in knowing so many Americans love them very much and appreciate their service and sacrifice. Lord, keep ever present in my mind the debt I owe to these men and women, for if not for them, my life wouldn’t be free. Amen.

    Report Post » missmarie  
  • bobmontgomery
    Posted on September 5, 2010 at 11:50pm

    The situation in the middle east is going to get very ugly over the next two years. Everything that was gained by getting a strategic foothold in Iraq to battle al Quaida and Iran is going to be dissipated. When Israel takes out Iran’s nukes, our demoralized troops will be in harm’s way under a CIC who is a despicable anti-American. There will be no choice but to retreat, and the MidEast will go up like a tinderbox. General Casey tending to “diversity’, Admiral Mullen catering to “homosexuality” and Secretary Gates unilaterally disarming the Defense establishment is a recipe for the disappearance of the American military as the surest guarantor of peace on the planet. You will get your wish, you ‘liberal progressives’, and it will not be pretty.

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  • TheBees
    Posted on September 5, 2010 at 11:36pm

    @Megasaccount, that has been my exact question from the minute I heard P-BO utter those words! Judging by the messages I get from my son, who by the way was just deployed to Iraq with a COMBAT UNIT!, there is definately combat actions happening over there!

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  • MegsAccount
    Posted on September 5, 2010 at 11:31pm

    I wonder….now that the “WAR” is over so to speak, what does that mean for our brave soldiers who are still in the middle-east engaged in the conflict. Are these soldiers still getting WAR PAY? If, heaven forbid, they are killed in action do their beneficiaries get WAR DEATH SEVERANCE? Or, is this considered more like a Korean style POLICE ACTION. Did the government just save money by no longer paying these 50,000 soldiers that were left behind their WAR BENEFITS?

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    • smartypoop
      Posted on September 5, 2010 at 11:37pm

      OMG, Megsaccount! I never even thought of that! They better still be getting war pay and benefits!

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    • lovemysoldier
      Posted on September 6, 2010 at 12:26am

      They are absolutely still getting ‘Hazard Pay”, and benefits are wonderful. Not to worry!

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    • Deutscher
      Posted on September 6, 2010 at 1:07am

      Yes. Even soldiers on TDY to the region get the tax-free status.

      Report Post »  
  • smartypoop
    Posted on September 5, 2010 at 11:23pm

    However, 50,000 American troops remain in country. Our own reporting on the ground confirms that some of these troops, especially some 4,500 special operations forces, continue to be directly engaged in military operations. These troops are accompanying Iraqi soldiers into battle with militant groups and may well fire and be fired on.

    This paragraph really says it all for me. Its not over until all our soldiers come home. I dont care what the heck you call it Mr. President, you left a lot of our brace soldiers behind, and they are forced to fight to survive.
    Why cant I find any information on how many of the troops that came home will be immediately redeployed to Afganistan? Does any one know, or have a site?

     
    • lovemysoldier
      Posted on September 6, 2010 at 12:19am

      That’s an interesting question. My husband is currently serving in Iraq, so I have a little knowledge about the the interval of time between deployments… although my experience is strictly with the Army Reserve. Now, I have to wonder if they had, say, six months left on thier orders, will they still be deployable to Afghanistan to serve the rest of that time. Somehow I doubt it. The military just can’t change gears like that. That’s not a critique… I‘m saying it’s a very complicated process to deploy, and it doesn’t seem feasible seeing how Afghanistan is a whole other kind of mission at the moment. Long post short: I dunno. Lol!

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    • plunderpower
      Posted on September 6, 2010 at 1:44am

      Taliban says, “I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. La La La La La” to Obama. Then the Big Cheese grader checks off…Not Ready. Even the Taliban knows a forked tongue when they hear it.

      Report Post » plunderpower  
    • plunderpower
      Posted on September 6, 2010 at 2:11am

      Probably depends on their MOS and the Brigade they serve with. A soldier I adopted via Soldiers’ Angels org is in Afghanistan. He’s been in Iran twice and now Afghanistan twice. He is due to go Stateside next May. He puts his men first, and always shares the goodies I send with his platoon. I adopted a platoon! The situation in Iraq is fluid and will remain that way long term. It will take the Taliban and others awhile to fully realize they‘ve had their butts kicked and they can’t win, but just die.

      Report Post » plunderpower  
    • GlennBeckIsADemagogue
      Posted on September 6, 2010 at 7:27pm

      I don’t usually agree with smartypoop, but he is right on the money here.

      Report Post » GlennBeckIsADemagogue  
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