US troops could stay in Mosul (Iraq) past June 30

[sabra]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. troops may remain in an Iraqi city threatened daily by al-Qaida past a June 30 withdrawal deadline, the top American commander there said Tuesday in a widely watched test of the nation's new security agreement.

Army Col. Gary Volesky, who commands U.S. troops in northern Iraq's Ninevah Province, said soldiers would stay in violence-plagued Mosul only if asked by the Iraqi government.

But on the day of a memorial service for five U.S. soldiers killed in Mosul last week, the colonel did not rule out the possibility that would happen.

"We are conducting an assessment right now with our Iraqi counterparts to determine what the way ahead is for the security in Mosul," Volesky told reporters during a Pentagon videoteleconference. "If the Iraqi government believes we should stay in Mosul to continue the security progress, we'll support our Iraqi counterparts past 30 June."

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[Shugosaurus]

1. If it is needed

to keep some peace then alright.

It's not like it's permanent

[Solly Mack]

2. ...

...