Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

WarGamer

(12,445 posts)
Tue Aug 24, 2021, 12:27 AM Aug 2021

US Troop Withdrawal v2.0 Iraq 2021

https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-combat-troops-will-leave-iraq-this-year-biden-says-11627326623

“We are not going to be, by the end of the year, in a combat mission,” Mr. Biden said Monday at the start of a White House meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi. The president said U.S. military forces would “be available to continue to train, to assist, to help and to deal with ISIS.”

Currently the US has around 2500 troops fighting with the Iraqi and Kurdish forces, the Peshmerga.

Some people seem to be confused about US support for the Kurds, thinking that US troops stopped supporting them when in reality the US (Trump) only pulled back US forces from the Turkish border.

In fact... far from being crushed by her neighbors, the Kurds have established energy contracts with the Syrian Gov't and received full recognition and protection from the Iraqi Gov't.

A US Withdrawal from Iraq will be a MUCH stickier affair than what is happening in Afghanistan... better make sure the DoD and State are working closely with the WH...

EDIT: to answer a question from another thread, the Kurds would NEVER evacuate their lands. No matter the circumstances, they will fight and die for their region (if that became necessary) as they've done for a loooong time.
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»US Troop Withdrawal v2.0 ...