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.
US asks Lebanon to return Israeli bomb to prevent capture by Russia or China
Trump peace plan passes in Knesset despite boycott over mention of Palestinian statehood
‘Winter Vomiting Disease’ Is Spreading Rapidly in the US, CDC Data Shows
More Immigration Judges’ Heads Roll as Trump Continues Clearing Way for Deportations – At Least 100 Judges off the Bench Since January
Trump admin debuts ‘Fentanyl Free America’ plan as DEA touts impact of Caribbean boat strikes
Bipartisan deal on Obamacare subsidies fades as Republicans push HSA plan
Man charged with attacking NYU student has 16 prior arrests
California Christian college student founds pro-life club after school rejects Students for Life chapter
Patriots Star Calls Attention to Persecuted Christians with Special Cleats: ‘Will You Stand with Them?’
Let’s Roll, Mr. President: ICE Surging Into New Target and the Somalis Are Scared
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to special election results for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District
DOJ busts ‘Greggy’s Cult’ child exploitation network that allegedly coerced kids into self-harm
Late Breaking: Trump-Endorsed Van Epps Defeats Anti-Police Democrat in TN House Race
Texas Tech restricts teaching of race and gender, faculty could be disciplined for violating rule
DOJ sues six states for refusing to turn over voter registration rolls, warns ‘open defiance’ of federal law
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.
US asks Lebanon to return Israeli bomb to prevent capture by Russia or China
Trump peace plan passes in Knesset despite boycott over mention of Palestinian statehood
‘Winter Vomiting Disease’ Is Spreading Rapidly in the US, CDC Data Shows
More Immigration Judges’ Heads Roll as Trump Continues Clearing Way for Deportations – At Least 100 Judges off the Bench Since January
Trump admin debuts ‘Fentanyl Free America’ plan as DEA touts impact of Caribbean boat strikes
Bipartisan deal on Obamacare subsidies fades as Republicans push HSA plan
Man charged with attacking NYU student has 16 prior arrests
California Christian college student founds pro-life club after school rejects Students for Life chapter
Patriots Star Calls Attention to Persecuted Christians with Special Cleats: ‘Will You Stand with Them?’
Let’s Roll, Mr. President: ICE Surging Into New Target and the Somalis Are Scared
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to special election results for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District
DOJ busts ‘Greggy’s Cult’ child exploitation network that allegedly coerced kids into self-harm
Late Breaking: Trump-Endorsed Van Epps Defeats Anti-Police Democrat in TN House Race
Texas Tech restricts teaching of race and gender, faculty could be disciplined for violating rule
DOJ sues six states for refusing to turn over voter registration rolls, warns ‘open defiance’ of federal law
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.
