AMN
US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis has said that the American forces will remain in Iraq to fight Islamic State terrorists. Speaking at the end of a day of meetings in Baghdad with military commanders and Iraqi political leaders, Mattis said he is open to any request from his military commanders to aid the battle to retake Mosul and launch an operation against IS in Syrian city of Raqqa.
He said there is no doubt that the Iraqi people, military and political leadership have recognized the value of the coalition and the partnership, particularly with the United States.
His comments come on the heels of his earlier declaration that the US does not intend to seize Iraqi oil, distancing himself from comments made by President Donald Trump.
Trump’s oil threat and his inclusion of Iraq in the administration’s travel ban have roiled the nation and spurred local lawmakers to pressure al-Abadi to reduce cooperation with Washington.