Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Mark Udall released the following statement as the last American brigade combat team left Iraq:
“More than seven years after we attacked Iraq, U.S. combat operations there are finally coming to an end. We are proud of the thousands of Americans who served in Iraq, and we grieve for those who lost their lives in this difficult fight. Many of the troops who served in Iraq will go on serving our country in support of U.S. efforts in Afghanistan. They are always in our thoughts, and we are grateful for their continuing sacrifice.
“I opposed the Iraq war in 2003, but I have fought to ensure that our brave service members from Colorado and across the country have had the resources they needed to do their jobs. The 50,000 U.S. service members remaining in Iraq for another year in non-combat roles will continue to need our support. And Iraq will still need our assistance as we transition from a military-led to a civilian-led effort. But this is now the time for Iraqis to take responsibility for security in their own country.”
