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Australia withdraws troops from Iraq



  3. merasyad
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About 500 Australian combat troops pulled out of their base in southern Iraq on Sunday, fulfilling an election promise by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to bring the soldiers home this year.

Australia, a loyal U.S. ally, was one of the first countries to commit troops to the Iraq war. In addition to the combat troops, it also deployed aircraft and warships to the Gulf to protect Iraq's offshore oil platforms.

Since handing over security of Dhi Qar province to the Iraqis, the main role of the Australian battle group, numbering about 515 soldiers, has been to train and support Iraqi forces.

Rudd, who won elections last November, had promised to bring home frontline troops this year. Polls show 80 percent of Australians oppose the war.

Australia's top military commander, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, said in February that after the troops pulled out, Australia would leave behind two maritime surveillance aircraft and a warship helping patrol the oil platforms, as well as a small force of security and headquarters liaison troops.
merasyad

21 responses // Australia withdraws troops from Iraq

  • watch this comment being used here, here, here and here
    Brittain, Australia, and America are heading towards new leadership. I hope that our relations don't strain but rather improve with the impetus that America is a true ally of these two nations and doesn't put them in duress in a situation like the war in Iraq without need.
    ocanada
  • The Australian people were tired of NeoCon John Howard, and elected a progressive Kevin Rudd. I'm sure you will see the US elect a progressive. Unfortunately, the Labour Party has become puppets for the US under the leadership of Blair, and the blundering mistakes by Gordon Brown will now hand the UK to the Conservative Torries.
    jlaboy
  • watch this comment being used here, here, here, here, here, and here
    Great job by Australia for setting an example. America... take the hint!
    OfficiallyVish
  • They need those troops to fight the kangaroos.
    75thDeadMan
  • Boy!, you gotta love democracy. To bad it's disappearing in the USA.
    AntiFacistCanuck
  • Great move Australia.
    aaronklong
  • Only 80% dislike this war?

    It really bugs me that this war is talked about as the worst war to ever come into existence when it's plain as day that ALL war is bad; period. This war is no different than any other war that has graced this Earth by man. All war has ego. All war has gain. All war has something that one power wants and needs and they use the blood and guts of the young to achieve the selfishness of the old.

    This war is bad. All war's previous and future are bad. To differentiate is illogical and inconsistent.

    Congrats on Australia in pulling out as they promised. Now how many more promises does this Prime Minster need to live up to so that he is as good as this promise has made him out to be so far?
    J_Jammer
    1 response to this
  • It is god that the families of the Australian soldiers get to see their husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, and etc. I personally think the solution to restoring order to Iraq is giving strength back to the Iraq military so then they can defend themselves, and stop selling Iraq oil to Oil companies for U.S benefit.
    sammunster
  • Atleast the Australian government can keep a promise to their troops.
    Dubdice23
  • War defiles the innocent and exhonerates the wicked...
    PlatoTacius
  • I entirely disagree. World War 2 was the best thing to ever happen to the USA. It provided jobs, patriotism, and a much safer world for the "me" generation to grow up in.

    J_Jammer, the world is not black and white. All war is not bad. War can be a useful tool for making the world better afterwards.

    As for Australia's decision, it's very shameful. The Iraqi people will fall under Shiite militia, Sunni militia, or Al-Queda's control unless the Iraqi government is strengthened.
    Saber2011
  • "There never was a good war or a bad peace." -- Benjamin Franklin

    "The motto of war is: "Let the strong survive, let the weak die." The motto of peace is: "Let the strong help the weak to survive." -- Franklin D. Roosevelt

    "War does not determine who is right-only who is left." -- Bertrand Russell

    "There's no difference between one's killing and making decisions that will send others to kill. It's exactly the same thing, or even worse." -- Golda Meir


    OR you could agree with this final quote:

    "Mankind has grown great in eternal struggles, and only in eternal peace does it perish." -- Adolf Hitler
    J_Jammer
  • Oh, a quote war is it? Why are you waging this quote war for ego and gain? It will boost your ego if you win. It will also gain you more respect.

    Arguing is war with words instead of bodies.
    Saber2011
  • But the problem is, if I had nukes, and were waving them about threatening people, an argument wouldn't exactly help, would it?

    I have never advocated war except as a means of peace. ~Ulysses S. Grant


    We are going to have peace even if we have to fight for it. ~Dwight D. Eisenhower

    War for peace is just and fair. Pacifism will get us all killed.
    Saber2011
    1 response to this
  • Seeing how there's been lots of war I can't imagine a single time where there's been peace.
    J_Jammer
  • Nice. Glad to see they got it right 5 years after they got it wrong, unlike Uhmerka (as old Georgie dipshit puts it) who continues down the path of genocidal destruction in the name of private contractor and big oil profit...

    PEACE
    onechance
  • The problem isn't war. the problem is unjust war. In this case, a war that was begun unjustly and continues unjustly...For those of you who are too brainwashed to see that, Saber, well, you'll just have to believe everything you're told by this administration...for you, spin is in...your fear mongering is pathetic to say the least...your arguing isn't discussion, it's B.S....the Aussies got it right...

    We need a president that won't lie to and cheat this country...Obama...
    PlatoTacius
  • Hopefully this is a sign others will follow

    kudos australia (Y)
    Joe_Leo
  • http://current.com/items/88986744_the_forgotten_war_win...
    American troops should be leaving Iraq as well.

    WINTER SOLDIER:
    U.S. soldiers of conscience testify about the brutality
    of the occupation of Iraq.
    PHubb

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