The Surge in Iraq Worked

Statement

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell delivered the following statement Monday regarding the war in Iraq:

"The President announced his plan today to transition the mission of our military in Iraq from combat to an advisory and assistance mission. For context, it's worth remembering that prior to the full deployment of this force some Democrats were already declaring the surge the President is referring to today a complete failure.

"But thanks to the vision and determination of General Petraeus, General McChrystal, and Ambassador Crocker, the counterinsurgency strategy was allowed to take root and to succeed. The population was protected, Al Qaeda in Iraq was weakened, and, crucially, our political relationship with the Maliki government grew stronger.

"It wasn't easy. Between that brave decision to execute a counterinsurgency strategy, the surge, and the Anbar Awakening, we had to prevail on many votes on timelines for withdrawal and fights over whether or not we would even fund ongoing combat operations -- all of which allowed for the strategic framework agreement and the security agreement between the U.S. and Iraqi governments that outlined the drawdown of forces and the transition of mission the President announced today. And, of course the Iraqis must work through the formation of the next government and continue to combat insurgents.

"There are valuable lessons in all this as General Petraeus works to build the Afghan security forces and defeat the Taliban. The surge in Iraq helped create the conditions that resulted in the security agreement between our two counties, which took a lot of hard work and back in 2007 some, including the current President and Vice President, thought it could not be achieved. The credit, of course, goes to General Petraeus, General Odierno, our fighting forces, Ambassador Crocker and our Iraqi partners. It is their sacrifices that we should remember today."

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