Iraq war formally ends for British forces as they hand over control of Basra area to US

BAGHDAD — The Iraq war formally ended for British forces on Thursday as America’s main battlefield ally handed control of the oil-rich Basra area to U.S. commanders and prepared to ship out most of its remaining 4,000 troops.

British end combat operations in southern Iraq, transfer control to US

BAGHDAD — British forces handed over military control of the Basra area to U.S. commanders Thursday to clear the way for America’s main battlefield ally to exit Iraq after more than six years of war.

Audit: US price tag soars as key Iraqi military training stumbles

BAGHDAD — Iraq is falling fall far behind schedule in creating a system to maintain its own military equipment, costing American taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars to fill in the gaps, according to a new U.S. audit.

Iraqi govt casts doubt on possibility that US will remain in urban trouble spots past deadline

BAGHDAD — The Iraqi government cast doubt Monday on the possibility that American troops will remain in urban trouble spots like Mosul after the June 30 deadline for U.S. forces to withdraw from cities.

Iraq wants US forces out of cities by June deadline and return only with permission

BAGHDAD — Iraq wants American troops to withdraw from urban areas and only return with government approval, a defense ministry spokesman said Monday, casting doubt about whether the U.S. can maintain troops in certain trouble spots even as they withdraw elsewhere.

Clinton tries to reassure Iraqis worried about safety; says US withdrawal still on schedule

BAGHDAD — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton tried to reassure nervous Iraqis that the U.S. won’t abandon them, even as she said the American troop withdrawal would stay on schedule despite a recent surge in violence.

Clinton tries to reassure Iraqis worried about safety; says US withdrawal still on schedule

BAGHDAD — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton tried to reassure nervous Iraqis that the U.S. won’t abandon them, even as she said the American troop withdrawal would stay on schedule despite a recent surge in violence.

Clinton tries to reassure Iraqis worried about safety; says US withdrawal still on schedule

BAGHDAD — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton tried to reassure nervous Iraqis that the U.S. won’t abandon them, even as she said the American troop withdrawal would stay on schedule despite a recent surge in violence.

Clinton tries to assure Iraqis that US will not abandon them despite troop withdrawal plan

BAGHDAD — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton sought to assure Iraqis on Saturday that the Obama administration would not abandon their country even as it presses ahead with plans to withdraw American troops amid a recent surge in violence.

Clinton assures nervous Iraqis of US support amid troop drawdown, violence

BAGHDAD — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Saturday assured Iraq that the Obama administration would not abandon the country even as it presses ahead with plans to withdraw American troops amid a recent surge in violence.

Back-to-back suicide blasts at Shiite shrine in Baghdad kill 60 and raise new security fears

BAGHDAD — Two suicide bombers killed 60 people outside a heavily guarded Shiite shrine in Baghdad on Friday, prompting Iraq’s prime minister to order an investigation into security shortcomings that allowed the assailants to slip through. Violence in Iraq has dropped to its lowest levels since the months following the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, but an increase in suicide bombings and other devastating attacks in recent weeks has renewed concerns about the capabilities of Iraq’s security forces.