WASHINGTON, Jan 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — America’s military strategy in Iraq was thrown into confusion Monday as the Pentagon admitted a letter from a general informing the Iraqi government of an imminent US troop pullout was sent by “mistake.”
The latest developments came as a sea of black-clad mourners in Tehran paid homage to Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force who was killed in a US strike in Iraq on Friday.
US Brigadier General William Seely informed his Iraqi counterparts in a letter dated Sunday that American troops were preparing to leave Iraq.
“We respect your sovereign decision to order our departure,” said the letter, whose authenticity was confirmed by both Iraqi and US defence officials.
Seely said the US-led coalition would “be repositioning forces.”
“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,” said the letter.
It said helicopters would be travelling in and around Baghdad’s Green Zone where the US embassy is located as part of the preparations.
Pentagon Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley said on Monday the letter was a mere “draft” and “should not have been sent.”
“It was a mistake, an honest mistake, a draft unsigned letter, because we are moving forces around,” Milley told reporters in Washington.
US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said the letter was “inconsistent” with Washington’s position and denied there had been a decision to leave Iraq.
The US drone strike that killed Soleimani, as well as Iraqi military commanders, has sparked fury in both Iran and Iraq, with Tehran vowing revenge.
Iraqi lawmakers on Sunday urged the government to oust all foreign troops from Iraqi soil.
Some 5,200 US soldiers are stationed across Iraqi bases to support local troops preventing a resurgence of the Daesh group.
They make up the bulk of a broader coalition, invited by the Iraqi government in 2014 to help combat the jihadists. — NNN-AGENCIES
