President Obama has declared an end to the US combat mission in Iraq. In the second Oval Office address of his presidency, Obama said the recent withdrawal of the last US combat brigades from Iraq heralds the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

President Obama: “Operation Iraqi Freedom is over, and the Iraqi people now have lead responsibility for the security of their country. This was my pledge to the American people as a candidate for this office. Last February I announced a plan that would bring our combat brigades out of Iraq, while redoubling our efforts to strengthen Iraq’s Security Forces and support its government and people. That’s what we’ve done. We’ve removed nearly 100,000 US troops from Iraq. We’ve closed or transferred to the Iraqis hundreds of bases. And we have moved millions of pieces of equipment out of Iraq.”

Vice President Joe Biden is in Iraq today to preside over a formal change-of-command ceremony to mark the start of what’s being called “Operation New Dawn.” Despite the pronouncements, tens of thousands of US troops, special operations forces and private contractors remain in Iraq.