‘We’re going to stay in Iraq,’ says top US Middle East commander

[rangerrebew]

‘We’re going to stay in Iraq,’ says top US Middle East commander
Meghann Myers
 

As the U.S. prepares to draw down its last 2,500 troops in Afghanistan, the head of Central Command told reporters Thursday that there are no current plans to begin a similar withdrawal of the last 2,500 in Iraq.

There have been discussions about it with the defense secretary, Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie told Military Times, but Operation Inherent Resolve’s efforts against ISIS aren’t finished.

“We’re going to be there, our NATO partners are going to be there, to finish the ISIS fight,” he said. “And we’re going to stay in Iraq.”

Though the physical ISIS caliphate has been defeated, reports estimate there are as many as 10,000 loyal fighters still active in Iraq and Syria.

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2021/04/22/were-going-to-say-in-iraq-says-top-us-middle-east-commander/