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.
Trump v. Smithsonian: A timeline of how the White House fight over ‘woke’ history unfolded
First showdown in race for Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat puts GOP hopefuls to the test
Todd Blanche moves closer to confirmation after rescinding $1.8B fund
Deadliest animal in every US state revealed, from moose and bears to dogs
Trailblazing former Republican Rep Kay Granger dies at 83: ‘Broke barriers’
Spencer Pratt reacts to Spokane devastation with blunt wildfire warning and message of faith
Off-duty trooper and armed citizen hailed as heroes after returning fire on In-N-Out gunman
Trump targets Biden-era billion-dollar Smithsonian budgets amid anti-‘woke’ push
Hero sheepdog becomes unlikely rescue partner after unexpected move aids first responders
Marco Rubio’s dream week off: ‘Watching every college football game’
An Answer to the Charge of the Supposed ‘Genocide’ in Gaza
Ohio Rep Marcy Kaptur hospitalized after car crash on way to church
Entire Squad endorses Abdul El-Sayed days before Michigan Democratic Senate primary
Trump Admin Putting Major Medical Association’s Billing Code ‘Monopoly’ Under The Microscope
Ohio GOP family feud explodes as Sen Bernie Moreno calls on Rep Max Miller to resign
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.
Trump v. Smithsonian: A timeline of how the White House fight over ‘woke’ history unfolded
First showdown in race for Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat puts GOP hopefuls to the test
Todd Blanche moves closer to confirmation after rescinding $1.8B fund
Deadliest animal in every US state revealed, from moose and bears to dogs
Trailblazing former Republican Rep Kay Granger dies at 83: ‘Broke barriers’
Spencer Pratt reacts to Spokane devastation with blunt wildfire warning and message of faith
Off-duty trooper and armed citizen hailed as heroes after returning fire on In-N-Out gunman
Trump targets Biden-era billion-dollar Smithsonian budgets amid anti-‘woke’ push
Hero sheepdog becomes unlikely rescue partner after unexpected move aids first responders
Marco Rubio’s dream week off: ‘Watching every college football game’
An Answer to the Charge of the Supposed ‘Genocide’ in Gaza
Ohio Rep Marcy Kaptur hospitalized after car crash on way to church
Entire Squad endorses Abdul El-Sayed days before Michigan Democratic Senate primary
Trump Admin Putting Major Medical Association’s Billing Code ‘Monopoly’ Under The Microscope
Ohio GOP family feud explodes as Sen Bernie Moreno calls on Rep Max Miller to resign
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.
