Iraqis say war "not ending" despite U.S. drawdown

Nope , not Gonna end Either . (IMO)

As Upside down as things are these days , would it surprise any of you if Iraq were to be Drowned in Terrorist Attacks by the time all U.S. Troops and Personnel are Pulled out ?


(Reuters) - President Barack Obama's message this weekend that Iraq would "chart its own course" may have been welcome news for war-weary Americans, but it has fueled anxieties about the future among Iraqis.

"The war is not ending. The war against terrorism continues here," Nuri al-Moussawi, a 51-year-old Baghdad resident, said.

Obama said on Saturday the end of U.S. combat operations on Tuesday, and a fall in U.S. troop numbers to 50,000, helped fulfill a promise he made during the 2008 presidential campaign to end the 7-1/2-year war launched by his predecessor, George W. Bush.

But the failure of Iraqi leaders to form a new government almost six months after elections, and persistent attacks by insurgents, have done little to instill confidence among Iraqis.

"The American withdrawal is hasty. The capabilities of our army have not been built yet," Moussawi said.

Overall violence has fallen sharply since the peak of sectarian carnage in 2006/07. Nevertheless, like many Iraqis, Moussawi has little faith in the abilities of Iraq's 660,000-strong police and army to protect the country.