U.S. forces to stay in Iraq as long as needed: spokesman

[DonViejo]

Source: Reuters



AUGUST 19, 2018 / 4:34 AM / UPDATED 31 MINUTES AGO

Tuqa Khalid
3 MIN READ

ABU DHABI (Reuters) - U.S. forces will stay in Iraq “as long as needed” to help stabilize regions previously controlled by Islamic State, a spokesman for the U.S.-led international coalition fighting the militants said on Sunday.

“We’ll keep troops there as long as we think they’re needed ... The main reason, after ISIS (Islamic State) is defeated militarily, is the stabilization efforts and we still need to be there for that, so that’s one of the reasons we’ll maintain a presence,” Colonel Sean Ryan told a news conference in Abu Dhabi.

The number of American soldiers could go down however, depending on when other forces from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation deploy to help train the Iraqi army, he said, adding that about 5,200 U.S. troops are currently based in Iraq.

NATO defence ministers agreed in February to a bigger “train-and-advise” mission in Iraq after a U.S. call for the alliance to help stabilise the country after three years of war against Islamic State.



Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-iraq-usa/u-s-forces-to-stay-in-iraq-as-long-as-needed-spokesman-idUSKBN1L408A?il=0

[Achilleaze]

1. "As long as it's profitable for arms sales, we're in." - republican Draft-Dodger-in-Chief*

* aka Comrade Dirty Donny (R)

[theaocp]

2. What's the latest from that fraud, Rand Paul?

Inquiring libertarians need to know which way the wind is blowing.

[Crowman2009]

3. At this point they've basically turned into alt-right Nazi/Confederate sympathizers.

Funny how they're for supposed free-markets/have all the drugs you want one minute, and the next they are goose stepping.

[Cryptoad]

4. Don't Fret none,,,,,

Putin will tell us when it time to get out!

[JonLP24]

5. It never ends

[BumRushDaShow]

6. What brought this sudden revelation on? Is this a "Squirrel!!!!!" moment?

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

7. wait! The last Republican adminstration

promised it (Iraq invasion et al) would be over in 6 months. Let's see how many years ago did the US invade?????????????

[GeorgeGist]

8. Anyone remember this war is illegal?

[EX500rider]

11. If the Iraqi govt invites US troops in to help fight ISIS how is that "illegal"?

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

9. 5200 U.S. troops are in Iraq?

And how many contract fighters (mercs) and contract support (mechanics, cooks, etc) are in Iraq? The whole military count is probably much higher.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

10. Oh boy more war