WASHINGTONL: The last US combat brigade pulled out of Iraq and crossed into Kuwait almost seven and a half years after the US-led invasion, US media reported Wednesday.

Television footage showed an MSNBC reporter travelling with the 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, crossing the border into Kuwait to be followed in the coming hours by the rest of the brigade.

The news was also carried by several other US media, The Washington Post, CNN, The Los Angeles Times, many of which had reporters embedded with the departing troops.

CNN reported that 56,000 troops will remain in Iraq after the brigade has left.

Only 50,000 are set to stay past August 31, when the United States declares an end to combat operations and switches to a training and advisory mission.


BDST: 08:22 HRS, August 19, 2010