US troops not likely to leave Iraq

Middle East Online, Oct 2, 2009 But with US military presence, Al-Qaeda won’t leave either General Ray Odierno cites Al-Qaeda – again – as excuse to keep big US military force in Iraq. WASHINGTON – Gaining the upper hand against Al-Qaeda in Iraq has required a big US military force coupled with manhunts against militant leaders, the American commander there said on Thursday. “You have to have both combined,” General Ray Odierno, the commander of US forces in Iraq, told a news conference. Al-Qaeda did not have a presence in Iraq, and observers say they are likely to remain in Iraq as long as US troops remain there because of their eagerness to follow and fight American military presence in the region. Where there is little visible US presence, they add, there is usually little or no Al-Qaeda operations in the region. Contrary to US “propaganda”, analysts believe that Al-Qaeda is more likely to leave Iraq in the absence of US occupation or military presence. Continues >>

Tags: Al Qaeda, General Ray Odierno, Iraq, US military in Iraq