Calling it a historic moment, U.S. President Barack Obama announced on Tuesday that combat operations in Iraq had ended and the 50,000 transitional troops left behind would return home by the end of 2011.

“From this desk, seven and a half years ago, President Bush announced the beginning of military operations in Iraq,” the President said in an 8 p.m. televised speech to the nation. “Much has changed since that night.”

Obama said a war to disarm a state became a fight against an insurgency, while terrorism and sectarian warfare threatened to tear Iraq apart.

“Thousand of Americans gave their lives, tens of thousands have been wounded,” Obama said. “Our relations abroad were strained; our unity at home was tested.”

The President described how American forces fought block by block to assist the Iraqis to have an opportunity for a better future.

“Because of our troops, and civilians, and because of the resilience of the Iraqi people, Iraq has the opportunity to embrace a new destiny, even though many challenges remain.”

Obama said, as a candidate, he pledged to the American people to end the fighting in Iraq and position the Iraqi forces to take the lead responsibility for the security of their country.

“Last February, I announced a plan that would bring our combat brigades out of Iraq,” the President said, “while re-doubling our efforts to strengthen Iraq’s security forces, and support its government and people. That’s what we’ve done.”

As part of the transition plan, the President said his military team had removed nearly 100,000 troops from Iraq, closed or transferred to Iraqis hundreds of bases, and moved millions of pieces of equipment from the country.

Security incidents are the lowest on record since the war began, according to the President, and Iraqi forces have engaged the terrorist group Al-Qaeda by removing much of its leadership in Iraqi-led operations.

“Our combat mission is ending, but our commitment to Iraq’s future is not,” Obama proclaimed. “Going forward, a transitional force of U.S. troops will remain in Iraq with a different mission — advising and assisting Iraq’s security forces, supporting Iraqi troops in targeted counter-terrorism missions, and protecting our civilians.”

Earlier in the day, President Obama placed a phone call to former President George W. Bush, which lasted just a few minutes, according to the White House.

During the prime time speech, Obama said it was “time to turn the page”, and recognized the former President.

“No one can doubt President Bush’s support for our troops, or his love of country and commitment to our security,” Obama remarked. “As I’ve said, there were patriots who supported this war, and patriots who opposed it, and all of us are united in appreciation for our service men and women, and our hopes for Iraqis’ future.”

On a live broadcast of Big 3 News, calls were received from an active-duty Army enlistee and the father of a soldier serving in the military.

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