July 2009: Quarterly Report To Congress

From Surge to Sovereignty

For the first time since April 2003, the U.S. military no longer patrols Baghdad's streets. In keeping with the terms of the Security Agreement, U.S. combat forces withdrew from Iraq's cities at the end of June. This landmark development represents another milestone on Iraq's road toward asserting complete sovereignty over its territory. Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) will still be able to call on their U.S. ally for assistance if they need support, and the U.S. military will continue to conduct joint operations with the ISF around cities and near the borders with other countries; but the Government of Iraq (GOI) now decides the timing and the terms of U.S. combat actions in urban areas.

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This report is also broken out by Figures, Pictures, and Tables.