It has been almost nine years since the initial invasion on Iraq was ordered by former President George W. Bush. On October 21^st President Barack Obama announced that all troops will withdraw from Iraq by the end of 2011.

            The United States declared that its mission in Iraq would come to an end in 2010. This coincided with the deadline for complete troop withdrawal by the end of 2011, originally set during former President George W Bush's terms in office.

On this date, there are an approximate 39,000 US troops that still remain in Iraq, a substantial decline from the 165,000 troops there during Bush’s administration in 2008.

            President Obama announced the withdrawal after a video conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki.

            Mr. Obama stated that Mr. Maliki pledged assistance and “a strong and enduring partnership” with Iraqi government.

            Obama then went on to say that the US and Iraq were in "full agreement" on how to move forward. Whether or not the US should entirely remove itself from Iraq has, however, been subject to discussion.

            Iraqi leaders stated that they wanted 5,000 troops to remain within training capacity. This plea sparked even greater debate, since these military trainers would not be protected under Iraqi law.

            The Pentagon refused this clause and insisted that, without protection and immunity for the soldiers, the US could not allow for their military presence to remain in Iraq.

Iraqi government spokesperson Ali al-Dabbagh said, “If we do not have agreement on the immunity, there will be no agreement on the number.”

The private contractors hired in the war have already lost their immunity. The American soldiers are soon to follow.

This decision for a full-fledged removal is also a weary one among the leaders of Iraq. There is still a desire in the Middle Eastern country for the US to continue to share its military expertise, and allow it access to American militia.

Iraqi civilians are more wary about the continuation of US occupation in their country.

“Whoever believes that the American will pull back is crazy. The troops came here to stay, they will never get out unless they are forced out by armed fighters,” said fifty year old Iraqi farmer, Abdul Hussein al-Zebaidi

According to Brookings Iraq Index from the US Department of Defense, an approximate 115, 405 Iraqi civilians were killed since the US occupation began in March 2003.

Iraqi civilians are not the only victims of the occupation of Iraq. According to the Department of Defense, there have been 4,408 American military deaths in Iraq since March 2003.

The complete withdrawal of troops in Iraq coincides with the lessening of troops in Afghanistan over the coming years. Obama states that America’s military priorities are shifting.

"The US leaves Iraq with our heads held high,” said President Barack Obama, announcing the formal withdrawal. "That is how America's military efforts in Iraq will end."