The blowback over the U.S. killing of a top Iranian general mounted Sunday as Iraq's Parliament called for the expulsion of American troops from the country.
Published Sunday, January 5, 2020 10:12AM ESTBAGHDAD -- The blowback over the U.S. killing of a top Iranian general mounted Sunday as Iraq's Parliament called for the expulsion of American troops from the country -- a move that could allow a resurgence of the Islamic State group.
In a strong speech before lawmakers in Parliament, Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi said that after the killing of Soleimani, the government has two choices: End the presence of foreign troops in Iraq or restrict their mission to training Iraqi forces. He called for "urgent measures" to remove foreign forces -- including the estimated 5,200 U.S. troops.
Pentagon officials have said the Iraqi government does not have to give one year's notice to expel American troops, as was required under a previous U.S.-Iraqi agreement. An American withdrawal could also enable Iran to deepen its influence in Iraq, a majority Shiiite country like Iran. Because of the dangers, the U.S.-led military coalition said it it is suspending the training of Iraqi forces and other operations in support of the battle against ISIS.
He added that U.S. civilians in the region should not be targeted because attacking them would play into President Donald Trump's hands.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Safety of Canadians in Iraq of ‘paramount concern,’ Foreign Affairs Minister saysSafety of Canadians in Iraq of ‘paramount concern,’ Foreign Affairs Minister says GlobePolitics
Read more »
NATO suspends training activities in IraqMove part of a precaution following the U.S. air strike that killed Iranian Gen. Soleimani in Baghdad
Read more »
White House gives lawmakers formal notice of Iraq strike amid complaints from DemocratsThe notification was sent under a 1973 U.S. law called the War Powers Act, which requires the administration to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action or imminent actions
Read more »
NATO suspends Canadian-led training mission in IraqNATO says it has suspended a Canadian-led training mission for soldiers in the Iraqi army in the wake of the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.
Read more »
Canadian-led NATO training mission in Iraq suspended amid security concernsThe training mission has been under Canadian command since it was launched in October 2018 at the request of the Iraqi government
Read more »