U.S. To Cut Iraq Combat Troops

Secretary of Defense H. Donald Rumsfeld, left, and Gen. George Casey, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, speak after their meeting in Baghdad, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2005. (AP)

(CBS/AP) Just days after Iraq's elections, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld on Friday announced the first of what is likely to be a series of U.S. combat troop drawdowns in Iraq in 2006.

Rumsfeld delivered the news to U.S. troops in the former Iraqi insurgent stronghold of Fallujah.

"At the recommendation of our military commanders and in consultation with our coalition partners and with the Iraqi government, President Bush has authorized an adjustment in U.S. combat brigades in Iraq from 17 to 15," Rumsfeld said. READ MORE