Iraq declared a public holiday to celebrate the official withdrawal of American troops from the country’s cities and towns on June 30. The American military meanwhile announced the death of four soldiers in combat operations in Baghdad, a reminder of the continuing vulnerability of soldiers even as they wrap up operations in the field. PM al-Maliki on his part, speaking at an event inside the Green Zone, stressed that the “national united government succeeded in putting down the sectarian war that was threatening the unity and the sovereignty of Iraq1.”

US President Obama hailed the US withdrawal as an “important milestone” but warned of difficult days ahead. Authorities meanwhile stated that the recent bombing in Kirkuk resulted in the death of 33 people. Maliki had earlier warned that insurgent groups and militias were likely to step up attacks in a bid to undermine confidence in Iraq's own security forces2.

• 1. Alissa J. Rubin, “US Pullout From Iraqi Cities Marked by Holiday,” New York Times, July 1, 2009, at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/01/world/middleeast/01iraq.html?_r=1&hp
• 2. ”Blast kills 33 as Iraq takes charge of security,” Tehran Times, June 30, 2009, at
  http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=198147