Update # 1 — 4:09 P.M.: Department of Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Monday disputed a letter indicating the U.S.-led military coalition against ISIS will leave Iraq, stating there is “no decision whatsoever to leave” the country.
Update # 2 — 4:34 P.M.: Gen. Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the letter is a “mistake” and a “poorly” worded draft. He added it was being worked on with Iraq and reiterated that U.S. troops will remain in the country.
Chicago alderwoman apologizes for ‘wrong place at the wrong time’ comment on slain student
Two arrested after US Park Police officer shot in apparent DC ambush: report
Judge grants $1 murder bond for Georgia woman accused of using pills to induce second-trimester abortion
Florida GOP gubernatorial candidate calls for sweeping federal limits on Muslim immigration
NJ Gov. Sherrill attends mosque led by Imam once accused of Hamas ties in deportation case
Ballot box upset: Democrats flip Florida legislative seat in Trump’s stomping ground
Pritzker’s glowing review of lakefront resurfaces after college student killed by illegal alien nearby
Dems vow to force weekly Iran war votes after GOP blocks latest move to curb Trump
President Trump Invokes Jesus While Pushing Senate to Pass the SAVE America Act
Oklahoma Governor Names Energy Executive to Fill DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s Senate Seat
Angel mom, GOP blame Spanberger after illegal immigrant with 30 arrests charged in killing
Alert: Lawmaker Cites TSA Report Confirming Cash Leaving Minneapolis Airport Approached $1 Billion by 2025
Senate confirms DOJ fraud chief as Minnesota daycare scandal draws national scrutiny
BREAKING: Pentagon Reportedly Preparing to Send 3,000 Airborne Troops to Middle East
Op-Ed: Democrats Are Fighting for Ballot Baloney
MORE BREAKING: @thejointstaff Gen. Milley came back to brief us again after looking at the letter. "It was a mistake," he said. Milley said it was a draft, poorly worded, and had not been signed. It was being worked w/ Iraqis. Bottom Line: US troops ARE NOT leaving, he said. https://t.co/L6wGYiVIkv
— Tara Copp (@TaraCopp) January 6, 2020
The U.S.-led military coalition against ISIS said it will withdraw from Iraq and reposit its troops in the near future, according to a letter examined by Reuters on Monday.
“Sir, in deference to the sovereignty of the Republic of Iraq, and as requested by the Iraqi Parliament and the Prime Minister, CJTF-OIR will be repositioning forces over the course of the coming days and weeks to prepare for onward movement,” wrote U.S. Marine Corps Brigadier General William H. Seely, who leads up the Task Force Iraq, to the Iraqi defence ministry’s Combined Joint Operations Baghdad.
“We respect your sovereign decision to order our departure,” the letter added.
Reuters said it independently confirmed the letter with an Iraqi military source.
Chicago alderwoman apologizes for ‘wrong place at the wrong time’ comment on slain student
Two arrested after US Park Police officer shot in apparent DC ambush: report
Judge grants $1 murder bond for Georgia woman accused of using pills to induce second-trimester abortion
Florida GOP gubernatorial candidate calls for sweeping federal limits on Muslim immigration
NJ Gov. Sherrill attends mosque led by Imam once accused of Hamas ties in deportation case
Ballot box upset: Democrats flip Florida legislative seat in Trump’s stomping ground
Pritzker’s glowing review of lakefront resurfaces after college student killed by illegal alien nearby
Dems vow to force weekly Iran war votes after GOP blocks latest move to curb Trump
President Trump Invokes Jesus While Pushing Senate to Pass the SAVE America Act
Oklahoma Governor Names Energy Executive to Fill DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s Senate Seat
Angel mom, GOP blame Spanberger after illegal immigrant with 30 arrests charged in killing
Alert: Lawmaker Cites TSA Report Confirming Cash Leaving Minneapolis Airport Approached $1 Billion by 2025
Senate confirms DOJ fraud chief as Minnesota daycare scandal draws national scrutiny
BREAKING: Pentagon Reportedly Preparing to Send 3,000 Airborne Troops to Middle East
Op-Ed: Democrats Are Fighting for Ballot Baloney
Iraqi lawmakers voted Sunday in favor of a resolution that calls for ending foreign military presence in the country. The resolution’s main aim is to get the U.S. to withdraw some 5,000 U.S. troops present in different parts of Iraq.
The vote comes two days after a U.S. airstrike killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani inside Iraq.
The Iraqi resolution specifically calls for ending an agreement in which Washington sent troops to Iraq more than four years ago to help in the fight against the Islamic State group.
The resolution was backed by most Shiite members of parliament, who hold a majority of seats.
Many Sunni and Kurdish legislators did not show up for the session, apparently because they oppose abolishing the deal.
“The government commits to revoke its request for assistance from the international coalition fighting Islamic State due to the end of military operations in Iraq and the achievement of victory,” read the measure. “The Iraqi government must work to end the presence of any foreign troops on Iraqi soil and prohibit them from using its land, airspace or water for any reason.”
Story cited here.
