Washington, Jan 7: Defence Secretary Mark Esper on Monday denied reports of an impending US withdrawal from Iraq, saying no decision has been made to remove American forces from the country.
“There’s been no decision whatsoever to leave Iraq,” Esper told reporters, according to pool reporters at the Defence Department.
Esper pointed out that the United States is repositioning forces through the Middle East region.
Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley told the pool that a letter made public earlier saying US is withdrawing from Iraq immediately was a draft and should not have been released.
Milley described the draft letter as “poorly worded,” one that implies withdrawal, but “that is not what’s happening.”
When asked why the draft letter was shared with the Iraqi military, Milley said defence officials coordinate drafts all the time to get feedback and input.
Earlier on Monday, a letter from US Brig. Gen. William Seely III, who commands Task Force Iraq, notifying Iraq’s joint operations command that the coalition was preparing to reposition forces in the coming days and weeks was released.
The letter was accidentally released, media reported citing military officials.
The Defence Department did not immediately respond to Sputnik’s request for comment on whether the document, which was being widely shared on Twitter, was authentic.
US has no plans to leave Iraq, says Defence Secretary Esper
243
