<b>Photos: </b>Iraqis take over security in cities (2009)

Iraqi Honor Guards get ready for a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Baghdad.

Iraqi Honor Guards get ready for a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Baghdad.  (Karim Kadim / Associated Press)

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Iraqi forces have assumed formal control of security in Baghdad and other cities after U.S. combat troops withdrew from urban areas.

Iraqis celebrate security takeover

Iraqi soldiers parade in the city of Karbala.  (Mohammed Sawaf / AFP / Getty Images)

Iraqis celebrate security takeover

At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Bahdad, Iraqi troops stand in formation.  (Karim Kadim / Associated Press)

Iraqis celebrate security takeover

Iraqi forces march with their national colors.  (Karim Kadim / Associated Press)

Iraqis celebrate security takeover

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the secure “green zone” in Baghdad.  (Ali Al-Saadi / AFP / Getty Images)

Iraqis celebrate security takeover

U.S. soldiers take a break in the shade at Forward Operating Base Warhorse in Baqubah.  (Maya Alleruzzo / Associated Press)

Baghdad

Iraqi National Police patrol in central Baghdad on Tuesday, as U.S. troops pulled out of Iraqi cities in the first step toward winding down the American war effort by the end of 2011.  (Hadi Mizban / Associated Press)

Ramadi

Iraqis in the western city of Ramadi celebrate on Monday the U.S. troop pullout.  (Karim Kadim / Associated Press)

Patrol

A U.S. soldier and an Iraqi police officer carry out their last joint patrol Sunday along the streets of Khan Bani Saad near Baqubah, northeast of Baghdad.  (Ahmad Al-Rubaye / AFP/Getty Images)

Tea

An Iraqi serves tea to U.S. Army Spc. Adam Steele, 30, from Spokane, Wash., of the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, during a patrol in Baqubah on Monday.  (Maya Alleruzzo / Associated Press)

Return

U.S. soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, return Monday from patrol in Baqubah.  (Maya Alleruzzo / Associated Press)

Furniture

A U.S. soldier stands Sunday near discarded furniture at Forward Operating Base Warhorse in Baqubah, as the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, prepares to move to a new area of operations elsewhere in Diyala province.  (Maya Alleruzzo / Associated Press)