U.S. Forces hand over military base to Iraqi Army in Kirkuk

KIRKUK / IraqiNews.com: The U.S. force have handed over a military base to the Iraqi Army in northern Iraq ’s city of Kirkuk on Sunday, the city’s Police Director said.   “Al-Bakkara military base, southwest of Kirkuk, was handed over to the Iraqi Army by the U.S. Forces, in a celebration on Sunday, attended by local government, Army and police commands, as well as U.S. Army officers,” Lt. Brigadier, Sarhad Qader told IraqiNews.com news agency.   Qader said the base was the second military base, handed over by the U.S. forces to the Iraqi Army, after al-Rashad base, 35 km to the southwest of Kirkuk , that was handed over early this year.   The measure had taken place, being part of the complete withdrawal of the U.S. non-combat forces, estimated to reach 50,000, scheduled to take place at the end of the current year, after the withdrawal of the U.S. combat troops last August, in compliance with the Security Agreement, signed between Baghdad and Washington at the end of 2008.   Kirkuk is 280 km to the north of Baghdad .   SKH (IT)   1038