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August 18, 2010

68 Killed in Iraq Bombings
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In Iraq, the death toll from a pair of bombings in Baghdad Tuesday has
reached at least sixty-eight, with dozens more wounded. At least sixty
people were killed after a suicide bomber attacked an army recruitment
center in central Baghdad. Amidst the attacks, the US military held a
ceremony to hand over partial control of the Balad military base to the
Iraqi armed forces. US Major General Craig Franklin called the transfer
a milestone toward an eventual US withdrawal.

US Maj. Gen. Craig Franklin: "Today’s ceremony marks a truly historic
moment. It recognizes the first presence of any Iraqi security force
unit on Joint Base Balad. This is another level of partnership and the
first step of many steps leading up to the turnover of this base to the
government of Iraq as the United States forces withdraw by December 31st
of 2011."

The US says it’s on pace to withdraw over 14,000 soldiers by the end of
the month. Last week, Iraq’s top military officer stirred controversy
after saying he wants US troops to stay in Iraq for the next decade,
despite a withdrawal timetable for the end of next year.