Defence officials call letter about preparations for a US military withdrawal from Iraq 'a mistake'.

The United States has no plans to pull out militarily from Iraq, Defense Secretary Mark Esper told Pentagon reporters on Monday, following reports of a US military letter about preparations for a withdrawal.

"There's been no decision whatsoever to leave Iraq," Esper said, when asked about the letter, adding there had also been no plans issued to prepare to leave.

"There's been no decision made to leave Iraq. Period," he told reporters.

The letter, cited by news agencies and US media, was sent to Iraqi military by US Marine Corps Brigadier General William H Seely III, commanding general of Task Force Iraq, the US-led military coalition against ISIL.

A top US general told reporters that the letter was a poorly worded draft document meant to only underscore increased movement of forces.

"Poorly worded, implies withdrawal. That's not what's happening," US Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a group of reporters, stressing there was no withdrawal being planned.

"This was a mistake from McKenzie," Milley told reporters, referring to US Central Command commander General Frank McKenzie.

"The long and short of it is: It's an honest mistake by people trying to do the right things in highly dynamic situations, etc. It should not have been sent," he said, adding that the unsigned document was a draft sent to get input from Iraqi officials.

"It (the draft letter) was sent over to some key Iraqi military guys in order to get things coordinated for air movements, etc. Then it went from that guy's hands to another guy's hands and then it went to your hands. Now, it's a kerfuffle."

Esper added the US was still committed to countering ISIL in Iraq, alongside US allies and partners.

The reports came a day after the Iraqi parliament urged the government to expel foreign troops following the US killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad.

Iraqi caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi told the US ambassador to Baghdad on Monday that both countries needed to implement the resolution, the premier's office said in a statement.

The US military has said there are about 5,000 US troops in Iraq.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/military-tells-iraq-preparing-move-200106195552545.html

Lalasticlala
Mynd44
Humbledbygrace

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/01/06/politics/us-troops-iraq/index.html

No matter how tough US is or how tough they act... War is never a good news. There would be casualty on both sides.

And Arabs are something else... If they are determined. They May not have the necessary military power to go head to head with US... but one thing they are not is coward.


They don't give up! These people can fight you from generation to generation... till the sun runs out of gas and turns to a black hole... They would still be fighting you in the black hole. You can bomberd their entire country till it turns to dust, they don't care! They would still be fighting you in the dust..


war doesn't get boring for them. just look at Syria for example... Damascus that was once nicknamed "A jewel in the dessert" because of its astonishing beauty and thousands of years rich history has turned to nothing but rumbbles of rocks... yet they are still fighting... they don't give up. They will die and sacrifice anything for what they believe in...


They are not messing around! These people are different species. US should be careful

Kyllahmc:
No matter how tough US is or how tough they act... War is never a good news. There would be casualty on both sides.

And Arabs are something else... If they are determined. They May not have the necessary military power to go head to head with US... but one thing they are not is coward.


They don't give up! These people can fight you from generation to generation... till the sun runs out of gas and turns to a black hole... They would still be fighting you in the black hole. You can bomberd their entire country till it turns to dust, they don't care! They would still be fighting you in the dust..


war doesn't get boring for them. just look at Syria for example... Damascus that was once nicknamed "A jewel in the dessert" because of its astonishing beauty and thousands of years rich history has turned to nothing but rumbbles of rocks... yet they are still fighting... they don't give up. They will die and sacrifice anything for what they believe in...


They are not messing around! These people are different species. US should be careful

Why are you foaming in the mouth. Iraq was once a rogue state and fought US, but what is left of them now?
Stop pushing iran to the slaughter house. It will not end well for them any which way. Already US and her allies are on a lock down for possible war, like they did against iraq. Don't forget it is a member of NATO.

Quit your sentimental bullcrap and let us hear word.

Okay for the guy above me.

marvelous000:

Why are you foaming in the mouth. Iraq was once a rogue state and fought US, but what is left of them now?
Stop pushing iran to the slaughter house. It will not end well for them any which way. Already US and her allies are on a lock down for possible war, like they did against iran. Don't forget it is a member of NATO.

Quit your sentimental bullcrap and let us hear word.

if you wanna argue, argue maturely and don't throw jabs. Let me enlighten you, U.S fought Hussain a not Iraq... A detector that was hated by majority of his people. Fighting a well United determined Arab nation no be here man. Even children and old people would pick up the arms! My point was clear, I didn't say Iran stands a chance against united states... But it's not gonna be walk in the garden for US!

War can be unpredictable sometimes if you know your history... Go do research on Vietnam war, Your almighty United States was humiliated in Vietnam war...

What about Biafra war? This one happened in your backyard... The Nigerian federal Army, 100 times more equipped, more organized more man power... and more importantly backed by foreign super powers... Still couldn't crush an ordinary rebel group for over three years

Unity and motivation is a very powerful weapon. Sometimes it's not just about the military toys.