US troops 'ready to remain' in Iraq on Baghdad's invitation, Pentagon chief says during visit
US troops 'ready to remain' in Iraq on Baghdad's invitation, Pentagon chief says during visit
Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said US troops were 'ready' to stay in Iraq on Baghdad's orders to help fight the Islamic State group.
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Around 2,500 US troops remained in Iraq following a withdraw in December 2021 [source: Getty]
Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said in Iraq on Tuesday that US troops were "ready to remain" in the country at Baghdad's invitation in a non-combat role against the Islamic State group.
"These forces are operating in a non-combat advise, assist and enable role to support the Iraqi-led fight against terrorism," Austin said.
"This is a critical mission and we are proud to support our Iraqi partners but we must be able to operate safely and securely to continue this vital work."
The US Defense SecretaryÌýarrived in Iraq on an unannounced visit barely two weeks before the 20th anniversary of theÌýUS-led invasionÌýthat toppledÌýSaddam Hussein.
Austin tweeted that the trip was aimed to "reaffirm the US-Iraq strategic partnership as we move toward a more secure, stable and sovereign Iraq".Ìý
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