SULAIMANI (ESTA) — The U.S. currently has no plans to begin withdrawal of the last 2,500 troops stationed in Iraq, the head of Central Command said on Thursday.
Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie told Military Times that there had been discussions about the withdrawal with the defense secretary, but the U.S.-led Coalition’s efforts against Islamic State (ISIS) aren’t finished.
“We’re going to be there, our NATO partners are going to be there, to finish the ISIS fight,” Military Times quoted McKenzie as saying.
“And we’re going to stay in Iraq,” he said.
Regarding attacks on bases housing U.S. and Coalition troops, McKenzie said pressuring the United States to leave Iraq is one of Iran’s goals.
“I think Iran still pursues a policy of attempting to eject the United States – and indeed, our partners and allies – from the region as well,” he said, according to Military Times.
No groups have claimed rocket attacks, but armed groups that some Iraqi officials say are backed by Iran have claimed similar incidents in the past.
American officials have blamed Iranian-backed militias for regular rocket attacks aimed at U.S. facilities in Iraq, including the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.
