Combat troops exit Iraq, 7 years after invasion

THE last US combat brigade pulled out of Iraq at dawn yesterday, a key milestone in the withdrawal of American forces more than seven years after the US-led invasion that ousted dictator Saddam Hussein.

Under cover of darkness, the 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, crossed into neighbouring Kuwait ahead of the planned declaration of an end to US combat operations in Iraq by an August 31 deadline.

The pullout came two days after a suicide bomber killed 61 people at a Baghdad army recruiting centre in Iraq’s deadliest attack this year, sparking concern the country’s forces are incapable of handling security on their own.