Currently, the U.S. does not plan to withdraw its 2,500-strong troops from Iraq. Pentagon Press Secretary, U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder said this at a press briefing.
Earlier, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani had announced that the U.S. had run out of excuses for the presence of the U.S.-led international coalition forces in Iraq. Immediately after the U.S. armed forces attacked the headquarters of the Iraqi People’s Militia in Baghdad, the head of the government announced that the country’s authorities would immediately start working to agree on the date for the withdrawal of foreign troops.
“Right now, I’m not aware of any plans. We continue to remain very focused on the Defeat ISIS mission,” Ryder said.
He added that he is not aware of any notifications by the Iraqi government to the Department of Defense on the withdrawal of the U.S. troops. Ryder noted that the U.S. forces are stationed in Iraq at the invitation of the country’s government.
