Washington - The last United States combat troops are leaving Iraq in a convoy to Kuwait, more than seven years after a US-led invasion toppled Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, NBC News reported on Wednesday.
An NBC reporter travelling with the convoy said the troops from the 4th Stryker Brigade would drive through the night on the way to Kuwait.
"As soon as all these soldiers leave Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom, the combat mission in Iraq, will be over," NBC reported.
The United States is on schedule to draw down its forces in Iraq to 50 000 by August 31. NBC said the soldiers staying behind would be on a training mission.
There are currently about 55 000 US troops in Iraq, down from about 140 000 when Obama took office in January 2009. - Reuters