Foreign troops not needed to combat ISIS, says Iraq prime minister
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Iraq's Prime Minister underlines that the country does not need foreign intervention to eradicate ISIS as its forces are properly equipped.
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Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, then-candidate for Iraq's prime minister position, speaks during the parliamentary session to vote on the new government in Baghdad, Iraq, October 27, 2022 (AP)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani announced Monday that Iraq no longer required the presence of foreign combat units to combat the threat of the Islamic State (ISIS). The Prime Minister's statement came during a meeting with military commanders, where he emphasized the nation's new phase of self-reliance in its fight against terrorism.
"Presently, Iraq does not require the presence of foreign combat units within its borders. We are engaged in ongoing discussions with our international coalition partners to chart the course for future cooperation and collaboration against the ISIS menace," stated Prime Minister Al-Sudani.
The shift marks a turning point in Iraq's security strategy and demonstrates the nation's increasing capacity to handle its security concerns independently. Iraq now seeks to bolster its domestic security apparatus while maintaining close ties with its international allies.
Prime Minister Al-Sudani also emphasized the importance of preserving a robust and prepared security force to counteract any resurgence of terrorist ideologies. He underscored that while the need for foreign combat units has waned, Iraq must continue to remain vigilant and equipped to quell any potential threats swiftly.
Furthermore, Baghdad recognizes the necessity of enhancing its own security forces through comprehensive training and equipping. The Prime Minister highlighted that in order to maintain its sovereignty and ensure lasting peace, Iraq must invest in the skill development and equipment of its armed forces.
One notable outcome of Iraq's triumph over ISIS has been the unity of its citizens, overcoming years of sectarian divisions and conflict, he said.
Prime Minister Al-Sudani pointed out that the defeat of ISIS has brought Iraqis together more cohesively than ever before, providing a platform for the nation to collectively pursue stability and progress.
With a motive to create more turmoil and chaos, the US planted the seeds for the rise of ISIS and other terrorist organizations in the Middle East, which still threaten regional and international security to this day, Antonov noted.
Even 20 years later, the US continues to falsely assert that its invasion of Iraq is "justifiable", Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov. He pointed out that Americans think that they "have the right to do whatever they please.”
"This means no state can feel safe if it does something to displease Washington.”
As such, US troops are still present in the region “under the guise of the noble counter-terrorism mission.” They are currently trying to play world policy in an attempt to control resource-rich Iraq, the Ambassador pointed out.
While maintaining a foothold in Iraq, the US is also occupying parts of Syria. The United States has been for years supporting the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) militias, and the US-backed forces are currently occupying parts of the provinces of Al-Hasakah, Deir Ezzor, and Raqqa, where the largest Syrian oil and gas fields are located.
Convoys of tens of vehicles, including tankers loaded with stolen oil from oil fields occupied by US forces in Syria, are frequently seen crossing toward northern Iraq, in addition to trucks loaded with military equipment.
Congress has never authorized the Syrian intervention; however, "a bipartisan hawkish coalition, led by neoconservative Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY), pushed through a resolution denouncing Trump for even considering a withdrawal of the illegal US occupation force."
What is more peculiar about US intervention in Syria is that although official accounts note that 500 American troops were stationed in Syria, evidence shows that the actual numbers swim between 2,000 and 4,000.
