April 4 – A series of car bombs explode in Baghdad. The attack, which targeted mainly foreign embassies in Iraq, resulted in the death of at least 41 people and over 200 injured.[4]
August 2 –The New York Times reported that the United States would "withdraw designated combat forces from Iraq by the end of August."[8]
August 3 – At least 5 police officers are shot dead at a checkpoint inBaghdad,Iraq.[9]
August 7 – 5Iraqi policemen are killed in an overnight shootout in westernBaghdad, while 1 policeman is killed at a checkpoint outsideFallujah.[10]
August 18 – The 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division crosses the international border between Iraq and Kuwait, effectively ending U.S combat operations within the country of Iraq. 52,600 U.S. military personnel remain in Iraq to take on an advisory role asOperation New Dawn begins.[11]
August 31 – U.S. President Barack Obama announced that all U.S.combat operations will end. 50,000 troops will stay in an advise and assist role. The full withdrawal is scheduled for December 2011.[12]
31 October – A number of terrorists storm theSayidat al-Nejat Cathedral and hold worshippers as hostages. TheSiege lasted few hours until security forces broke into the church, the confrontation led to at least 58 dead and around 100 injured.[18][19]
1 November – Iraq Security forces storm the offices of theAl-Baghdadia TV station and take few of its employees into custody based on terrorism related charges. During the siege of the Sayidat al-Nejat Cathedral the day before, the attackers used the Al-Baghdadia's hotline to broadcast their demands, thus placing the station under suspicion.[20]
