Iraqi Prime Minister: I received the U.S. Army withdrawal letter
Al-Mahdi announced that he had received the letter on withdrawal of US forces from Iraqi territories, asking for clarification on differences in versions. The US military earlier claimed the letter, an unsigned draft, was sent in error. The defense minister said his state "has no plan to withdraw from Iraq," despite Baghdad's parliamentary decision
Iraqi Prime Minister: I received the U.S. Army withdrawal letter
Photo: Reuters, edited by Tal ResnikIraqi Prime Minister Adil Abd al-Mahdi said Tuesday he received the letter from the United States Army about the withdrawal of US forces from the territories, after Washington denied that it intended to withdraw. He said Baghdad sought clarifications regarding the letter, since its English and Arabic versions are not identical.
In a letter to Reuters yesterday, the international coalition led by the United States to fight the Islamic State (ISIS) organization has told the Iraqi government that its forces are preparing to leave the country. In response, U.S. Army Commander General Mark Millie confirmed the existence of the letter, but claimed it was sent in error.
Millie claims the letter was leaked, leaving a false impression of a near-American retreat, even though it was a carelessly drafted draft to emphasize increasing readiness for the advancement of forces. "Carelessly worded, implying a withdrawal. That's not what's going on," he said.
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Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abd al-Mehdi at Senior General's Funeral, October 23, 2019 (Photo: Reuters)
Iraqi Prime Minister's comments come despite US Secretary of State Mark Asper's assertion that his state "has no plan to withdraw from Iraq." The possibility of the withdrawal came as a result of the vote in Baghdad, following the assassination of Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Suleimani and senior Shiite militant Abu Mahdi al-Mohands in the US attack.
Today, Asper told CNN in an interview that the United States needs to maintain its presence in Iraq to fight ISIS. In addition, Asfer said that Suleimani was staying in Baghdad to meet with another leader and plan an attack on American facilities with him.
He said Washington wanted to reduce tensions with Tehran. "The United States does not want war with Iran - but it is ready to end one," Asper said.
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To the full articleUS forces are preparing to take off for Middle East yesterday (Photo: AP)
US troops prepare to take off for reinforcements in the Middle East, January 4, 2020 (Photo: AP)
Baghdad's parliament has called on the government this week to end all "foreign presence" on Iraqi soil and to hold a monopoly on weapons. According to the decision, which does not require, the government must ensure that foreign forces do not use the country's land, air or maritime territory, whatever the reason.
US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose harsh sanctions on Iraq, "which they have never seen," following a parliamentary decision. "We have a military base built in the country for billions of dollars, and our troops won't leave unless Baghdad pays us for it," Trump said this week.
Washington denies the withdrawal. Millie, Pompeo and Asper (Photo: Reuters)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, alongside Chief of Staff Mark Millie (right) and Secretary of Defense Mark Asper, briefing on Iraq attack from Mar-a-Lago estate, December 29, 2019 (Photo: Reuters)
US forces in Iraq number slightly more than 5,000, part of a joint task force established in 2014 for the imminent determination of the US-led international coalition to deal with ISIS - after the organization captured large parts of Syria and Iraq. The main task of the Joint Task Force is the equipment and training of Iraqi military forces.
Earlier today, NATO announced that it was temporarily relocating some of its people from Iraq. In contrast, France has stated that it has no intention of withdrawing its forces from the country.
French President Emmanuel Macron spoke to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani tonight, expressing "deep concern" at recent events in Iraq and the region. In their conversation, Macron urged Tehran to refrain from taking steps to make matters worse and urged it to return to accept its commitments under the nuclear agreement.
(First Update: 19:34)