AP Interview: Premier: Iraq doesn't need US combat troops

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA and SAMYA KULLAB

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s prime minister says his country no longer requires American combat troops to fight the Islamic State group, but a formal time frame for their redeployment will depend on the outcome of talks with U.S. officials this week.

Mustafa al-Kadhimi said Iraq will still ask for U.S. training and military intelligence gathering. His comments came in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press ahead of a planned trip to Washington, where he’s slated to meet with President Joe Biden on Monday for a fourth round of strategic talks.

“There is no need for any foreign combat forces on Iraqi soil,” said al-Kadhimi, falling short of announcing a deadline for a U.S. troop departure. Iraq’s security forces and army are capable of defending the country without U.S.-led coalition troops, he said.

But al-Kadhimi said any withdrawal schedule would be based on the needs of Iraqi forces, who have shown themselves capable in the last year of conducting independent anti-IS missions.



Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi poses in his office during an interview with The Associated Press in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, July 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-middle-east-health-coronavirus-pandemic-iraq-d5a59e4a3e8e01cb4a775cee985cf343

[stopdiggin]

1. sounds, almost - like common sense?

If the 'mission' in Afghanistan must have some definitive end point ... That argument must apply doubly to Iraq. I do not claim that there would not be adverse consequence (and I think that is recognized on both sides). But having a 'presence' (and bases) in a grudging and reluctant host country over an extended period of time is game of diminishing returns, surely? Let's remember, our reasons for going into Iraq were even less justified, and with far greater strategic consequence and blowback, than going into Afghanistan. Time to look for other options

[karynnj]

8. US troops RETURNED to Iraq with the support of Iraq when Baghdad was in danger from ISIS in 2014

Iraqi (and Kurdish) troops were the majority of the force on the ground against ISIS with the coalition helping with intelligence, air power and some special forces. Under Obama the US created a coalition that included NATO countries and many countries in the Middle East. By the time, Obama left office, they had regained much of the area and had developed the plan used to deprive them of any land. Trump did change the rules of engagement - making it a bloodier battle.

Obama HAD left following the Bush time table - leaving no forces behind because they could not get an adequate SOFA agreement.

[onetexan]

2. about time. It always takes a Democratic president to clean up the mess of a GOP POTUS.

Since we've gotten out of Afghanistan, may as well just close up shop altogether and only leave advisors in place. Save taxpayer money to fight the domestic terrorists threatening our democracy from within.

[bahboo]

3. good, bring them home at long last....

[Devil Child]

4. Excellent, bring them all home then.

[Cryptoad]

5. Bring all our troops home,,,,

sooner we can forget this GOP fuckup!

[George II]

6. This interview was conducted on Friday, more than 48 hours ago. NOT "LBN".

[mahina]

7. I thought they kicked us out a long time ago