WASHINGTON, Sept 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Commander of the U.S. Central Command, Kenneth McKenzie, confirmed that, the United States would withdraw thousands of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan by Nov, U.S. media reported yesterday.
The Politico reported that, McKenzie, during a ceremony for Operation Inherent Resolve with the Iraqi minister of defence, said that, U.S. troop presence in Iraq would be reduced to 3,000 by the end of Sept.
The force reduction is due to “the great progress the Iraqi forces have made and in consultation and coordination with the Government of Iraq and our coalition partners,” he said.
Currently, there are over 5,000 U.S. troops deployed in Iraq, to support Iraqi forces in battles against remnants of the Daesh, mainly for training and advisory purposes.
McKenzie noted that the reduced size of U.S. military presence in Iraq would still be able to advise and assist Iraqi forces, in rooting out the Daesh remnants in Iraq.
The top U.S. general told several media outlets later that, U.S. troops in Afghanistan would be decreased to about 4,500 level by early Nov.
The Pentagon said in mid-July that, the United States maintained its force level in Afghanistan at mid-8,000’s, meeting the conditions of the U.S.-Taliban agreement signed in late Feb.
The agreement also called for a full withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Afghanistan, by May, 2021, if the Taliban meets conditions of the deal, including severing ties with terrorist groups.
The number and time frame of the troop reduction plan that McKenzie disclosed were mainly in line with previous reports and discussions.
The Wall Street Journal wrote in late Aug that, the Pentagon would reduce military presence in Iraq by roughly one-third over the next two or three months, bringing U.S. troop numbers down to 3,500.
Pentagon chief, Mark Esper, also confirmed last month that, U.S. troops in Afghanistan would be lowered to less than 5,000 by the end of Nov.
As the presidential election looms, President Donald Trump has doubled down efforts, to seek to fulfil his campaign promise to bring troops home and to pull his country out of “endless wars.”
During his meeting with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, last month, Trump reiterated his intention to withdraw troops from Iraq.
Trump has also sought a full withdrawal from Afghanistan. The war in Afghanistan, which has caused about 2,400 U.S. military deaths, is the longest one in U.S. history.
The troop reduction announcement came amid the development of a delicate relationship between Trump and the military.
In Monday’s White House briefing, Trump claimed senior leaders in the Pentagon probably didn’t like him “because they want to do nothing but fight wars, so that all of those wonderful companies that make the bombs and make the planes and make everything else stay happy.”
Army Chief of Staff, James McConville, defended military leaders to media outlet, Defence One, saying, “Senior leaders would only recommend sending our troops to combat, when it is required in national security and as a last resort.”
The news also came days after an article published in The Atlantic, quoting anonymous sources, saying that Trump disparaged slain U.S. service members, by referring to them as “losers” and “suckers.” Trump and White House officials have vehemently denied the report.– NNN-AGENCIES
