On rense.com, I read that 25,000 U.S. troops were withdrawn in secret from Iraq within the past few days.
The report, attributed to "Islam Memo," states that more than 65 military jets left Basra airbase, and 40 American ships left the port of Basra, carrying American troops to Kuwait. The sudden departure is said to have been confirmed by Mr. Kamal Albasry, "an administrator in charge of Um Al-Qasr port."
According to the report, eyewitnesses said the departing troops were evidently overjoyed, and that Iraqi children threw stones at them. (More)
The report states further that American and British forces closed off all major roads, barred journalists from approaching any military convoy, and confiscated at least one camera used by a journalist to photograph the large numbers of U.S. troops entering the airport.
Satellite, mobile phone and internet connections are alleged to have been jammed, to keep the sudden withdrawal secret.
Insurgents are claimed to have "bid farewell" to the departing troops, by firing some 30 rockets and 12 mm mortar rounds at the Basra airport while the troops were withdrawing. They claimed also to have shot down an American transport plane coming into the Basra airport.
The article I read suggested that the troops withdrawn may have been mentally and physically impaired. That may be, but if the story of the sudden, large withdrawal is true, it must be asked whether Rummy would precipitately withdraw so many troops at one time, if he didn't have an attack on some other country up his sleeve.
Can anyone confirm or disprove this report?