US to cut troops in Iraq from 5,200 to 3000

Shafaq news/ The US will reduce its troop presence in Iraq from 5,200 to 3,000 this month, a senior general said on Wednesday, affirming President Donald Trump's promise to withdrawal forces from the war-torn country.

It comes as Trump is attempting to secure a second term by fulfilling a pledge that he made four years ago when he came to power to get the US out of “endless wars."

Marine General Frank McKenzie, the commander of US Central Command, said the reduction in Iraq reflects Washington's confidence in the ability of US-trained Iraqi security forces to handle the militant threat from ISIS, which captured large swathes of the country in 2014.

"In consultation and coordination with the Government of Iraq and our coalition partners, the United States has decided to reduce our troop presence in Iraq from about 5,200 to 3,000 troops during the month of September," he said.

Remaining US troops would continue advising and assisting Iraqi security forces as they attempt to root out remnants of the terror group

It follows a meeting between Trump and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi in August, in which the two sides discussed the status of the remaining forces in Iraq.

A timeline was not issued for the actual pullout.

American troops have come under several attacks in Iraq during the past year by suspected pro-Iranian militias.

Tensions between Tehran and Washington heightened after a US strike that killed top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi Al Muhandis in early January.

Since then, the Iraqi government has also faced pressure domestically to ask foreign troops to leave the country.

Parliament voted in January for the departure of forces, it was followed by slow withdrawal of US and other coalition troops.

Washington has repeatedly said that it did not seek permanent bases or a permanent military presence in Iraq.