Patrick Ryder
The Pentagon stated on Monday that it does not intend to withdraw its about 2,500 troops from Iraq, despite Baghdad’s announcement last week that it would begin the process of removing the US-led military coalition from the nation.
“Right now, I’m not aware of any plans (to plan for withdrawal). We continue to remain very focused on the defeat of ISIS mission”, said Patrick Ryder, Air Force Major General, adding that US forces are in Iraq at the government’s invitation.
Ryder also stated that he was unaware of any indication by Baghdad to the Department of Defence of a decision to remove US forces and referred reporters to the US State Department for any diplomatic discussions.
On Friday, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s office announced plans to evacuate US forces in response to a US drone strike in Baghdad that was condemned by the government.
The Pentagon stated that the strike killed a militia leader responsible for recent attacks on US forces.
The US strike on Thursday, four years after another one in Baghdad that killed a top Iranian general, sparked indignation among Iran-aligned groups, who urged that the government halt the coalition’s presence in Iraq.
President Joe Biden and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin authorized the strike before Austin was brought to a hospital on New Year’s Day, where he remains.
The United States has 900 troops in Syria and Iraq on a mission to advise and support local forces in preventing a revival of Islamic State, which controlled major sections of both countries before being defeated in 2014.
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