No. 25

Last Australian troops depart Iraq

More than eight years after Australian special forces infiltrated the deserts of western Iraq at the start of what was to prove a brutal, bitter and divisive conflict, the very last diggers have withdrawn.

On 6 August, Australia withdrew 17 troops responsible for providing security at the Australian embassy in Baghdad.

Australia's war in Iraq cost billions of dollars but only a few lives.

Despite Labor's longstanding opposition, Mr Smith acknowledged that involvement in Iraq had produced some benefits for Australia.

"In my view our standing in International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) never stronger, our standing with NATO never stronger and the practical cooperation between Australia and the US putting the alliance relationship ...into the best position historically it's been."

Read more |  The Sydney Morning Herald, 10.08.11

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