Timetable agreed for Iraq exit strategy
Friday, 28 Nov 2008 10:57
US army to leave Iraq by end of 2011
Iraq's parliament gave its backing to a timetable ensuring US forces will leave Iraq by the end of 2011 yesterday.
The move also means US troops will cease patrols in the country's streets and towns by June next year in a historic step on the country's road to recovery.
And after December 31st Iraqi authorities will be able to influence daily US military operations in Iraq more closely.
Human rights groups are warning the agreement may result in the torture of thousands of suspected insurgents currently held by US forces, however.
Amnesty International says around 16,000 prisoners held by the US will be transferred to Iraqi custody from the end of this year.
"These prisoners will potentially be moving from the frying pan into the fire," Malcolm Smart of Amnesty commented.
"We receive persistent reports of gross human rights violations – including torture – taking place in Iraqi prisons and detention centres.
"The US must ensure that no one is transferred to Iraq custody if they would face a real risk of torture or other human rights violations."
Those who held positions under Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath party regime are believed to be particularly at risk.
The US' ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, and coalition forces commander General Ray Odierno are concentrating on the wider security situation in the immediate aftermath of the agreement.
A joint statement released after the Iraqi parliament vote said a "strong and equal partnership" existed between
Iran and the US.
It said the agreements "provide the means to secure the significant security gains we have achieved together and to deter future aggression".
Coalition forces have been in Iraq since they ousted Saddam from power in May 2003. Insurgency and sectarian violence was only quelled following US president George Bush's controversial 'troop surge' strategy of 2007.