US will reduce forces in Iraq and Afghanistan | Israel Today

Acting Secretary of Defense announced that the U.S. military will reduce its presence to 2,500 troops in each state by Jan. 15 • Reports of an alarm at the U.S. Embassy and a missile drop in the Green Zone

Acting US Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller said the United States would reduce its military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In addition, Iraqi police reported tonight (Tuesday) that missiles had fallen near the green area in Baghdad and an alarm was sounded at the U.S. Embassy.

As mentioned, the United States currently has about 4,500 troops in Afghanistan and more than 3,000 in Iraq.

According to Miller, by January 15, the force will be reduced to 2,500 troops in each country.

If these are the schedules, the reduction of forces will take place even before Biden takes office as president on January 20. 

"President Trump's decision is based on his continued involvement in the National Security Cabinet in recent months, and ongoing discussions with me and my colleagues across the United States government," Miller said.

"Just this morning I spoke with key leaders, as well as with our allies and partners in the international arena to update them on the plans," Miller said, adding that he also spoke with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and Afghan President Asraf Ghani.

"Earlier, the NATO secretary general said that leaving the war-torn country too soon or in an uncoordinated effort could lead to unplanned results."

Fears of the rise of terrorist organizations in Afghanistan and Iraq following the withdrawal still remain.

"There is a risk that Afghanistan will once again be a stage for international terrorists. ISIS could rebuild in Afghanistan the terrorist caliphates it lost in Syria and Iraq," Stoltenberg added.

As mentioned, it was reported yesterday on CNN that the Trump administration is expected to order the US military to prepare to withdraw most of the US forces stationed in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Outgoing President Donald Trump is determined to implement his policy by the last minute, on January 20, when incoming President Joe Biden will be sworn in.

President Trump demanded during his tenure the implementation of the withdrawal from these countries but encountered opposition from the military and other elements in the Pentagon.

Trump recently fired Secretary of Defense Mark Asper, and appointed his loyalists to various positions at the top of the Pentagon just last week, Miller was appointed acting Secretary of Defense of the Pentagon.

In doing so, he actually allowed himself to implement his security policy until the end of his term.