US cutting troops in Iraq to 3,000 this month

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A US soldier advising Iraqi forces is seen in the city of Mosul during the ongoing offensive by Iraqi troops to retake the last district still held by the Daesh group.

Washington - Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie says the reduction in Iraq reflects US confidence in the ability of US-trained Iraqi security forces to handle the militant threat from Daesh

By AP

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Published: Wed 9 Sep 2020, 4:40 PM

Last updated: Wed 9 Sep 2020, 6:47 PM

The United States is reducing its troop presence in Iraq this month from 5,200 to 3,000, the top American commander for the Middle East said on Wednesday, as President Donald Trump tries to make good on his campaign promise to get the United States out of "endless wars."
During a visit to Iraq, Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, the commander of US Central Command, said the reduction in Iraq reflects US confidence in the ability of US-trained Iraqi security forces to handle the militant threat from the Daesh group, which entered Iraq from Syria in 2014.
Late Tuesday, a senior Trump administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters aboard Air Force One that such an announcement was coming and that an announcement on the withdrawal of additional troops from Afghanistan also could be expected in the coming days.
Trump has been trying to make the case that he has fulfilled the promises he made four years ago as he campaigns for a second term.
US forces have been in Afghanistan since 2001. They invaded Iraq in 2003 and left in 2011 but returned in 2014 after the Daesh group overran large parts of Iraq.
"In recognition of the great progress the Iraqi forces have made and in consultation and coordination with the government of Iraq and our coalition partners, the United States has decided to reduce our troop presence in Iraq from about 5,200 to 3,000 troops during the month of September," McKenzie said, according to an excerpt of his remarks provided by his office.
McKenzie said the remaining US troops would continue advising and assisting Iraqi security forces as they attempt to root out remnants of the Daesh group.
"The US decision is a clear demonstration of our continued commitment to the ultimate goal, which is an Iraqi security force that is capable of preventing a Daesh resurgence and of securing Iraq's sovereignty without external assistance," McKenzie said. "The journey has been difficult, the sacrifice has been great, but the progress has been significant."
Tensions spiked between the US and Iraq in January after a US drone strike near the Baghdad airport killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi Al Muhandis. Angry Iraqi lawmakers, spurred on by Shia political factions, passed a nonbinding resolution to oust all US-led coalition forces from the country.
In response to the Soleimani killing, Iran on January 8 launched a ballistic missile attack on Al Asad air base in Iraq, which resulted in traumatic brain injuries to more than 100 American troops. Two months later, US fighter jets struck five sites in retaliation, targeting Iranian-backed Shia militia members believed responsible for the January rocket attack.


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