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Conflicting reports emerge of US ‘movement out of Iraq’
US Defense Secretary Mark Esper has denied that the US military has announced preparation for “movement out of Iraq,” after the Muslim country’s parliament voted to oust foreign troops.
Brigadier General William Seely, who oversees US Task Force Iraq, sent a letter to the head of Iraq’s joint operations command on Monday, less than week after the US assassinated Iran’s General Qassem Soleimani, various news agencies reported.
“In order to conduct this task, Coalition Forces are required to take certain measures to ensure that the movement out of Iraq is conducted in a safe and efficient manner,” read the letter.
The letter added that they would “be repositioning forces over the course of the coming days and weeks to prepare for onward movement.”
Helicopters were supposedly being used in and around Baghdad’s Green Zone as part of the preparations.
‘Poorly worded letter’
Esper denied the letter, saying “There is no decision whatsoever to leave Iraq… There has been no decision made to leave Iraq. Period.”
The Pentagon chief added that the letter is “inconsistent with where we are right now.”
A US military official also said that the letter had been “poorly worded.”
“This was a mistake from McKenzie,” Pentagon Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley told reporters, referring to US Central Command commander General Frank McKenzie. “It shouldn’t have been sent.”
US President Donald Trump’s order for the terrorist attack at the Baghdad airport also faced backlash at home, particularly among Democrats.
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) blasted Republicans in Congress, asserting that they would be responsible if a war breaks out in the wake of Iran’s promise to retaliate the cowardly attack.
“OK Repubs. Keep shielding & protecting this impeached prez despite his lies (15k); despite his unilaterally pulling out of Iran deal; despite weak answers on imminent danger; despite [former Defense Secretary James] Mattis quitting, now Pentagon CoS quits; you are going to be responsible for dragging us to war!”
Trump claimed that the assassination was aimed at “averting war” but the intelligence that led to that decision has been significantly questioned.
“We can and we should learn more about the intelligence and thinking that led to this operation and the plan to defend American personnel and interests in the wake of it,” Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell said at the US Capitol.
“Unfortunately, in this toxic political environment, some of our colleagues rushed to blame our own government before even knowing the facts. Rushed to split hairs about intelligence before being briefed on it.”