US convoys begin leaving from Iraq

Iraq: With less than a month to go, the U.S. military wants to minimize the risks of last minute and paid cash tribal fighters to help provide a safe exit from Iraq after more than eight years of war. Much of the American machine powerful army leaves Iraq by Kuwait to the south on the main highway, a tempting target for militants backed by Iran.

Contingency operating base in Basra, in the north of the border with Kuwait, Col. Douglas Crissman of American forces commands U.S. forces in Iraq in four southern provinces.

Under his supervision, the soldiers are preparing to hand from the base to Iraqi forces in the coming days, but they also oversee the safety of U.S. personnel and equipment on their way slowly down the road.

"We continue our mission and securing career paths for our brothers and sisters," Crissman said, referring to U.S. soldiers and personnel.

Less than 10,000 U.S. troops remain in Iraq, while five bases have yet to be delivered.

"We managed to come back ... relations with more than 20 tribal leaders," said the colonel.

AFP