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The United States has no plans to pull out militarily from Iraq, Defense Secretary Mark Esper told Pentagon reporters on Monday, following reports a US military letter about preparation for a withdrawal.
“There’s been no decision whatsoever to leave Iraq,” Esper said, when asked about the letter, adding there had also been no plans issued to prepare to leave.
“There’s been no decision made to leave Iraq. Period,” he told reporters.
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The letter, cited by news agency was purportedly sent to the Iraqi military by US Marine Corps Brigadier General William H Seely III, commanding general of Task Force Iraq, the US-led military coalition against ISIL.
A top US general told reporters that the letter was a poorly worded draft document meant to only underscore increased movement of forces.
“Poorly worded, implies withdrawal. That’s not what’s happening,” US Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a group of reporters, stressing there was no withdrawal being planned.
“This was a mistake from McKenzie,” Milley told reporters, referring to US Central Command commander General Frank McKenzie.
“It shouldn’t have been sent,” Milley said.
Esper added the United States was still committed to countering ISIL in Iraq, alongside US allies and partners.
The reports came a day after the Iraqi parliament urged the government to expel foreign troops following the US killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad.
SOURCE:
Al Jazeera and news agencies
