Iraqis Applaud US Exit, but Fears Linger

Many Iraqis are looking forward to the departure of US troops from the country’s cities June 30—but what that means for security remains to be seen, Reuters reports. “Anyone who wants to fight them can go there and attack their bases without harming civilians,” says one taxi driver who's glad troops are headed to outside camps. Some believe the US exit could be a boon to Iraq’s economy.

"Life here is dead because of their presence," says a Mosul man. "We are full of desperation ... no jobs, no income, just because of them." A hotel manager said his business has been “strangled by US roadblocks.” Violence has plummeted in the past year, but as US troops withdraw, local troops will have to pick up the slack. “Some people are afraid that the situation could become worse,” said an analyst.
(More Iraq stories.)