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US withdraws from Iraqi cities despite violence

FILE - In this Wednesday, May 27, 2009 file photo, a US soldier carries a bed frame in Camp Carver on the outskirts of Madain, about 15 miles southeast of Baghdad, Iraq. U.S. troops will be out of Iraqi cities by Tuesday in the first step toward winding down the American war effort by the end of 2011. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban, File)

ENLARGE PHOTO

In this photo taken June 2, 2009, U.S. Army Sgt. Kelly Gaskey, 51, from Cleveland, Tenn. carries his rucksack as his company prepares to leave a combat outpost in Baghdad, Iraq. U.S. troops will be out of Iraqi cities by Tuesday in the first step toward winding down the American war effort by the end of 2011. (AP Photo/ Maya Alleruzzo)

ENLARGE PHOTO

FILE - In this June 22, 2009 file photo, A U.S. Army soldier carries American flags used at a ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq. U.S. troops will be out of Iraqi cities by Tuesday in the first step toward winding down the American war effort by the end of 2011. (AP Photo/ Karim Kadim, File)

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Now, the focus of the U.S. effort will be training and mentoring.

"Our sustained success in Iraq will hinge on how well we replace massive U.S. forces with an effective and lasting U.S. advisory effort and the level of military aid we continue to provide," former Pentagon analyst Anthony Cordesman said.

The U.S. must decide how to deal with crises as its leverage over the Iraqis fades "and Iraqi politics dominate events," Cordesman said.

Sunni lawmaker Mustafa al-Hiti said the drawdown is coming too soon "but the government has made its decision and will shoulder the responsibility of any failure if the security situation unravels."

The Americans will also become more dependent on the Iraqis for tracking insurgents since U.S. troops will not be in key urban areas, raising concerns about increased vulnerability of the Americans.

"We'll be relying a lot on the Iraqis for that situational awareness," said military spokesman Brig. Gen. Stephen Lanza.

Rockets have been fired in recent weeks at the Green Zone, which houses the U.S. Embassy and the Iraqi government headquarters.

In past times a full military response would have been seconds away. Soon it will be up to the Iraqis to respond.

The No. 2 U.S. commander in Iraq, Lt. Gen. Charles Jacoby, said if U.S. troops come under fire "they'll defend themselves" but "their job is to support and assist and advise Iraqi security forces."

U.S. commanders plan to assume a low public profile for the first two weeks of July to avoid any perception they're not honoring the agreement.

Most convoys will travel at night — even for the short distance between Camp Victory and Baghdad's protected Green Zone. They will also travel with Iraqi escorts to show they are not operating unilaterally.

In Mosul, U.S. vehicles must be marked with signs to show they are noncombat forces.

One U.S. officer, speaking on condition of anonymity because the issue is sensitive, acknowledged it will be hard for many American soldiers to let go.

"You have to cut the cord at some point and this is it," he said.

Associated Press Writers Patrick Quinn, Sameer N. Yacoub and Sinan Salaheddin contributed to this report.

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June 28, 2009 10:24 PM EDT

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