War is over: Last U.S. combat troops leave Iraq; 50,000 remain as advisers

The last of the 14,000-member 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division - about 4,000 strong - began crossing the border in the predawn hours, almost two weeks ahead of an Aug. 31 deadline for the end of "Operation Iraqi Freedom."

Some 50,000 U.S. troops will remain in the country until the end of 2011 to advise and train Iraqi forces and protect U.S. interests.

The Pentagon issued no confirmation that the move marked an early end to combat operations. But State Dept. spokesman P.J. Crowley said U.S. involvement would be less intrusive and more civilian focused.

"We are ending the war ... but we are not ending our work in Iraq," he told MSNBC. "We have a long-term commitment to Iraq."

Yesterday's departure quietly closed the active combat phase of a 7-1/2-year war that overthrew the regime of Saddam Hussein, forever defined the presidency of George W. Bush and left more than 4,400 American service members and thousands of Iraqis dead.