Despite new mission, US troops still in the fight in Iraq

US troops will still be in combat and taking on militants in Iraq even as the American military moves to an "advise and assist" role with a smaller force, officials said Thursday. The withdrawal of the last US combat brigade on Thursday was hailed as a symbolic moment for the controversial American presence in Iraq, more than seven years since the invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. But while the remaining 50,000 troops will no longer have a formal combat mission after September 1, they will be well-armed and possibly coming under fire as they join in manhunts for Al-QaIda figures or other extremists. "I don't think anybody has declared the end of the war as far as I know," Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell told MSNBC. "Counter-terrorism will still be part of their mission," said Morrell, referring to the fight against militant networks. The 50,000-strong force will operate in six "advise and assist brigades," taking part in operations at the request of Baghdad authorities and playing a supporting role to Iraqi units. The US troops "will continue to conduct partnered counter-terrorism operations" in an effort "to help Iraqi security forces maintain pressure on the extremist networks and protect the citizens of Iraq," Major Christopher Perrine told AFP.