Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

      WASHINGTON, July 16 (Xinhua) -- One and a half years after the Bush administration sent 5 additional brigades to Iraq, the last of those brigades has left Iraq, ABC News reported Wednesday.

    Most of the soldiers from the last brigades, the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, returned to their home base at Fort Stewart, Ga., and a few was in Kuwait, according to the report.

    In January 2007, U.S. President George W. Bush announced a so-called "surge" plan to send five additional combat brigades to Iraq to quell violence.

    Under pressure, he announced in April this year to pull back the five brigades, saying situation in Iraq has improved due to the "surge".

    The U.S. military now says violence continues in Iraq but it's at the lowest level since 2004.

    Serious questions remain about whether the recent improvement in Iraq's security is sustainable, but many analysts said the trend of cutting U.S. troops is irreversible, and further withdrawal later this year is very likely.

Bush says withdrawing troops is goal, rejects Iraq timetable

     WASHINGTON, July 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush said Tuesday that withdrawing all U.S. combat troops from Iraq is the goal, but he rejected setting any timetable.

    Responding to a question at a White House press conference, Bush said whoever succeeds him next January, he shall listen to the "commanders, diplomats and Iraqis" before making any new decisions on Iraq. Full story

U.S. mulls withdrawing more troops from Iraq in Sept.

    WASHINGTON, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The Bush administration is reportedly considering the withdrawal of additional combat forces from Iraq in September, the New York Times said Sunday.

    One factor in the consideration, the report said, is the pressing need for more troops in Afghanistan, where the insurgent is in the upswing. Full story