Further US combat ops in Iraq only possible says Odierno | WPN World People News

The top US commander in Iraq has said the US might have to return to Iraq if there is a failure by Iraqi security forces to control violence in the country.

General Ray Odierno told CNN’s "State of the Union" that such a situation could oblige the United States to resume combat operations there.

While he readily accepted a return might be necessary, he said it would be an unlikely scenario.

Speaking about Iraqi’s own troops, General Odierno said: "My assessment today is they will be ready. I think that they continue to grow. We continue to see development in planning and in their ability to conduct operations. The Iraqi people are resilient. They want this. They want to have a democratic country. They want to be on their own. They want to be moving forward and be a contributor to stability in the Middle East."

The general conceded that the ability of the Iraqi police and army might be affected by divisions within political forces.

The country’s political problems were put into sharp focus last week when the winner of the general election five months ago broke off coalition talks with his main rival.

The last US combat brigade formally withdrew from Iraq on Thursday.

Two days before, a suicide bomber had killed 59 people at a Baghdad army recruiting center in Iraq’s deadliest attack this year.

On August 31st combat operations officially end and the role of the remaining 50,000 American troops becomes one of providing advice and assistance.

Source: Europe News.Net