Iraqi forces are preparing to launch military operations to control its borders

[yota691]

AP: Iraqi government confirms the start of the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq

 

Monday 5 February

 

 

BAGHDAD (  Reuters) - A spokesman for the Iraqi government has confirmed the start of the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, the Associated Press news agency reported Monday.  "The spokesman for the Iraqi government confirms that the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq has begun after the victory on the organization of a supporter."  The agency quoted "Western contractors" at the base of the International Alliance to say, "The US forces begin to draw Iraq after the defeat of the organization is calling."         The US ambassador to Baghdad, Douglas Silliaman, announced on January 10, 2018, a "gradual" reduction of the preparation of US forces in Iraq.  The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) revealed on November 28, 2017, the numbers of US military in Iraq, indicating that the number of US forces, according to the latest data, amounted to 8892.

[yota691]

The Iraqi government: the start of the withdrawal of part of the US forces

Date of release: 2018/2/5 13:43 • 125 times read

[yota691]

URGENT Sources: America begins to reduce its troops in Iraq after a defeat is urging

Release date: 2018/2/5 10:56 • 434 times read

[Ayna-follow-up] 
Western contractors at a US-led coalition base in Iraq said Washington had begun to cut its troops in the country following a humiliating defeat.

They said US troops, weapons and equipment were being transferred from Iraq to Afghanistan. 
The contractors said dozens of US soldiers left on daily flights last week. 
In a related context, two Iraqi officials told the Associated Press that the US-led coalition reached an agreement to reduce its forces in Iraq for the first time since the start of the war on a preacher three years ago. 
The Associated Press quoted its correspondent as saying that he saw the troop movements in line with the officials' account. 
The contractors and officials spoke on condition of anonymity and refused to disclose the exact size of the reduction.

[moneysoon]

I guess, "Mission Accomplished" could play in our favor...

[skeetdog]

Thanks Yota...Iraq has to limit all foreign military to establish their sovereignty...The SBA plays in with this....

 

[Donziman]

What humiliating defeat ??

[jmartin1145]

Why isn't this on the news? Oh that's right, it could make Trump look good.

[yota691]

Pentagon: No intention to withdraw any troops from Iraq in the near term

The US Defense Department has confirmed that it will not withdraw its forces from Iraq, revealing a US-Iraqi agreement to transfer the forces to train Iraqi army units and increase their readiness to fight terrorism.

US forces on the ground in more than one base will continue their training and rehabilitation programs for Iraqi forces as part of a strategic plan between Baghdad and Washington in a post-Saddam phase, the ministry said.

 

[yota691]

International Alliance: Our forces will continue to train Iraqi security forces to maintain the gains of victory against a supporter

The international coalition against a US-led push to cut its troops in Iraq in the year 2000 and 18.

The coalition leadership said in a statement that it would ensure a continuing presence of the coalition in Iraq, but on conditions that are in line with needs and in coordination with the Iraqi government, pointing out that these measures came after defeating the Baathist and the restoration of Iraqi forces control of all cities and areas that were under the control of the organization.

The coalition's presence in Iraq will be dependent on circumstances to ensure that terrorism does not return to Iraq, the US military said, adding that US troops have begun to transport dozens of troops, weapons and equipment from Iraq to Afghanistan.

 

[yota691]

Iraqi forces are preparing to launch military operations to control its borders

Are GMT 13:15 2018 Tuesday, February 6

 

 

Iraqi forces

Baghdad - Najla al-Tai

Security sources said that Iraqi forces are preparing to launch a military operation to strengthen control of the area close to the border with Iran, so that it can be used to transport Iraqi oil to Iran, while denied the US Department of Defense , its intention to withdraw any troops from Iraq at the moment, Said Tuesday that Washington has withdrawn 60% of its troops in the country.

The move highlights concern over the mountainous region where two armed groups are active. 
The two officials told Reuters that the process of securing the Hamrin mountain range begins this week, and lies between the oil fields of Kirkuk and Khanaqin on the border with Iran. 
Iraqi oil officials in December announced plans to transport crude from Kirkuk by truck to Iran's Kermanshah refinery, and truckloads of oil were supposed to begin last week. Oil officials declined to give reasons for postponing only technical issues.

The two officials did not elaborate on the potential threats to the Hamrin mountain range, but two militant groups are known to be active there, one of which is the remnants of an advocacy organization and the other, the newly emerging "White Banners".

Iraqi army officials acknowledged the existence of the white flag group, but declined to comment on the elements it made or its leaders. 
"The Kurdistan government certainly has nothing to do with this group," a Kurdish official told Reuters. The agreement to transport crude oil by truck was part of an oil exchange deal announced by the two countries to allow the resumption of oil exports from Kirkuk.

Both Iraq and Iran agreed to exchange up to 60,000 barrels per day of crude produced in Kirkuk with Iranian oil to be transferred to southern Iraq. 
Sales of Kirkuk crude have been halted since Iraqi forces seized control of the fields from Kurds in October 

The Kurds seized control of Kirkuk in 2014, preventing the organization from urging the control of the oil fields in the region after the decline of the Iraqi army in front of the progress of the organization. 
The Pentagon on Monday denied any intention to withdraw troops from Iraq at the moment, after reports that Washington had withdrawn 60 percent of its troops in the country.

Pentagon spokesman Eric Bahon said Washington did not intend to withdraw any US troops from Iraq in the near term. 
"The Pentagon agrees with the Baghdad government to shift the functions of US forces deployed in Iraq to operations that focus on training Iraqi army units and increasing their readiness and capabilities to combat terrorism," Bahon said. But that Washington is embarking on the withdrawal of heavy equipment, "such as the long-range artillery Hautezer."

"The number of US troops deployed in Iraq with the approval of the Baghdad government now is 5,200, plus 2,000 US troops deployed in Syria. Pointing out that "the number of US troops in Iraq can rise or fall in accordance with the requirements of reality on the ground."

 The Associated Press quoted an Iraqi government source as saying that 60% of US troops are scheduled to be withdrawn from Iraq and some 4,000 troops will be left to train local soldiers. 
The agency said, quoting news sources, that the US military, began to transfer the military, weapons and equipment from Iraq to Afghanistan.

The agency also quoted an Iraqi government source as saying that dozens of US military personnel have left the country in the past few weeks, for the first time since the start of the war against a militant organization.

Western contractors at the base of the US-led coalition in Iraq said Washington had begun to cut its troops in the country following the defeat of a militant organization. 
 The American move comes after the Iraqi authorities announced in December 2017, the victory over Daqash, who has been in control of many areas in Iraq since 2014

[yota691]

The number of US troops in Iraq is different

Editorial date: 2018/2/6 23:23 • 428 times read

{Baghdad: Al-Furat News} revealed the movement of the official statistics of the presence of US troops in Iraq.

He said the military assistant to the movement of the nobility Nasr Al-Shammari for the program {boldly} broadcast by Al-Furat satellite channel tonight that "about 5620 {5} thousands and {620} US troops in areas of Iraq, except for employees and protections at the US Embassy in Baghdad, are present before the fall of Mosul," noting that " Did not launch a single shot when three Iraqi provinces fell by a terrorist preacher. " 
"Added from 2014 to 2016 {3} thousand and {770} additional troops to become the number of more than 9 thousand US troops in Iraq." 
He pointed to "the presence of (13) common base in Iraqi territory in the north, center and west with 4 military bases on the Iraqi-Syrian border." 
He noted that "there are 2,000 and 600 American fighters also on the Syrian border."

[yota691]

Jafar: The presence of US forces was approved and supervised by the federal government

Editorial Date: 2018/2/6 22:35 • 293 times read

(Baghdad: al-Furat News) The MP of the National Alliance Jassem Mohammed Jaafar, the presence of US forces in Iraq was approved by the federal government and under its supervision.

"The occupation ended with the departure of the Americans in 2011, and the forces currently present forces with the consent of the government," Jafar told the program {boldly} broadcast by Al-Furat satellite channel. 
He added that "the agreement between the government and US forces leads to the absence of any armed forces on Iraqi territory," noting that "the participation of US forces came because of the military capabilities and protect the space of Iraq and the participation of advisers of Iraqi officers." 
Jafar said that "there is a specific program to remove all heavy American weapons as agreed between the two governments and the US government should respect Iraq's desire to get the last American soldier out of it."

[Butifldrm]

WORLD NEWS

FEBRUARY 7, 2018 / 4:18 AM / UPDATED 41 MINUTES AGO

Exclusive: Facing Trump's demands, NATO to consider larger Iraq training mission

 

Robin Emmott

5 MIN READ

•  
•  

 

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The United States is renewing pressure on its European NATO allies to establish a long-term train-and-advise mission in Iraq, diplomats said, reviving a divisive issue for an alliance wary after a decade in Afghanistan.

 

U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis sent a letter to NATO headquarters in January calling for a formal NATO mission to Iraq with a semi-permanent or permanent command to train Iraqi forces, according to five senior NATO diplomats.

After a three-year war with Islamic State, Washington wants to ensure the militants do not re-emerge. While NATO does have trainers in Iraq already, they number less than 20. NATO defense ministers are expected to discuss the U.S. request in Brussels next week, with a possible decision at a summit in July.

In his letter, Mattis left many details open but suggested developing military academies and a military doctrine for the Iraqi defense ministry, diplomats said. Other ideas cited by diplomats include bomb disposal training, maintenance of Soviet-era vehicles and medical training.

“The United States is pushing hard for a NATO role in Iraq, not in a combat role, but for a long-term assignment,” said one senior NATO diplomat on condition of anonymity.

“This looks suspiciously like another Afghanistan,” the diplomat said, referring to the long-running conflict where NATO is funding and training Afghan forces. “Few allies want that.”

Pentagon spokesman Johnny Michael declined to discuss whether Mattis had sent a letter to NATO but said: “The administration continues to look for ways allies can do more to counter terrorist organizations.”

A NATO official said that the alliance is “looking into how we can step-up our training efforts”. 

NATO defense chiefs will provide ministers with a range of options for an Iraq mission, while NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has discussed the issue with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who supports a mission, diplomats said.

The U.S. push is also part of President Donald Trump’s demand that the Western alliance go beyond its core task of defending its territory and help stem Islamic militancy.

Trump scolded allies last May at a summit in Brussels, warning of more attacks in Europe if NATO did not do more to stop militants. Even his predecessor Barack Obama sought a greater NATO role in the Middle East.

 

Then, U.S. officials had raised the possibility of NATO taking over the running of the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State, as it did of the U.S.-led mission in Afghanistan in 2003.

The United States sees NATO’s long experience in Afghanistan as putting it in an ideal position to help build up Iraqi forces after recapturing territory taken by Islamic State. The United States has more than 5,000 troops in Iraq.

But European allies fear being pulled into another open-ended foreign assignment that is costly, unpopular at home and potentially dangerous.

In a gesture to Trump, the 29-nation alliance agreed last year to join the coalition. However, France and Germany insisted that the decision was mainly symbolic.

IRAQ ELECTION, LETTER

The size of any potential NATO mission has not been debated, but the diplomats said they would need to be substantially more than the current team to mollify Trump. They could involve regional training centers outside Baghdad.

“This is an area where we could demonstrate relevance,” a second diplomat said, noting that allies were well aware of Trump’s campaign criticism in 2016 that NATO was “obsolete” because it did not do more to combat militants.

 

Creating a formal NATO mission would mean greater funding, so-called force generation to drum-up troops and a structure to keep them in the field for longer.

Difficult issues include whether military trainers would require protection and who would provide it.

Iraq would need to formally request the NATO mission, diplomats said. That would likely rely on Abadi winning re-election in May, as rival candidates backed by Iran are hostile to U.S. troops remaining in the country.

But the pressure is also greater because NATO has not yet been able to follow up on a similar train-and-advise request from Libya’s U.N.-backed government in Tripoli, diplomats said, because the country is still controlled by rival factions.

Additional reporting by Idrees Ali in Washington; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg

Our Standards:The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-nato-iraq-exclusive/exclusive-facing-trumps-demands-nato-to-consider-larger-iraq-training-mission-idUSKBN1FR1BB