Some Illinois lawmakers are reacting to President Barack Obama’s announcement that he’ll withdraw all US troops from Iraq by the end of this year.

Democratic Senator Dick Durbin said the United States has made a great sacrifice in the Iraq war. He says he hopes Iraq can be an ally to the United States going forward.

“They have their own fate in their own hands. And it wouldn’t have happened if the United States hadn’t been there,” said Durbin. “We paid a heavy price for it, and we hope in the end  that Iraq is going to be a friend of the United States and share our values.”

Durbin was one of 23 senators who voted against the Iraq war in 2003.