• Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Investing
  • Stock
Editor's Pick

Kurdish official warns US: ‘now is not the time’ to pull forces out of Iraq’

by October 6, 2024
written by October 6, 2024

As the U.S. mulls over a plan to withdraw troops from Iraq, its Kurdish allies have a message: Don’t forget us. 

‘This is not the time to reduce coalition forces in Iraq,’ Treefa Aziz, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s special representative to the U.S., told Fox News Digital. 

‘Extremist groups like ISIS and armed militias continue to pose a serious threat to the people of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.’

The U.S. announced plans to shrink the U.S. ‘footprint’ in Iraq and end the current mission of coalition forces – including the Kurds – to fight ISIS, but declined to say how many of the 2,500 troops currently stationed there would remain. 

‘A decade ago, Kurdish Peshmerga forces worked alongside U.S. troops to defeat ISIS and continue to actively combat ISIS remnants to prevent a resurgence of terror today,’ Aziz said. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) ‘has been a reliable security partner for the United States and remains ready to enhance cooperation.’

But now, if Baghdad is pushing the U.S. out of Iraq, the U.S. could feel it must honor that request or risk making another enemy in the Middle East. The KRG says it would be ‘willing and able’ to host U.S. coalition forces in its territory. 

The current mission is now set to end by September 2025, with a plan to keep the number of forces on the Iraqi side to back up the 900 U.S. troops in Syria until at least 2026. 

News of a plan that could amount to a significant drawdown of U.S. forces called to mind 2019, when former President Donald Trump announced plans to pull out of Syria and the Kurds felt abandoned by a partner they had fought alongside for years – leaving them open to an attack by Turkish forces.  

Trump, at the time, left the Kurds with a warning to their longtime enemies: ‘I have told Turkey that if they do anything outside of what we would think is humane . . . they could suffer the wrath of an extremely decimated economy.’

The U.S. relationship with the Kurds – an indigenous group of daring fighters whose quest for their own formal state has been unsuccessful – spans back decades. 

When the Turks denied the U.S. passage into Iraq for the invasion in 2003, Iraqi Kurds helped the U.S. overthrow Saddam Hussein. 

The Kurds have fought with U.S. coalition forces since they reentered Iraq in 2014 to fight ISIS, and the U.S. pledged arms support and humanitarian aid. 

The group faces attacks from terror groups on all sides. And as Iran increasingly encroaches on the Iraqi government, Baghdad has the KRG in a choke-hold, officials say. 

‘There is growing concern regarding efforts to weaken the federal system in Iraq. The constitutional framework, which is designed to ensure shared governance, is disregarded,’ one Kurdish official said.

‘The continued suspension of oil exports from the Kurdistan region has placed significant economic strain. More than a year and half later, we have yet to see the resumption of these exports.’ 

The KRG has been trying to work with the Iraqis on a power-sharing agreement with no real results.

‘Some of these actions appear to align with external influences rather than the broader national interest,’ the official said, referring to Iranian influence. ‘With the assistance of our allies, we believe these issues can be resolvable through constructive dialogue and cooperation.’

The KRG is also asking the U.S. government to ‘honor its commitment’ included in the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to ‘provide the KRG with a comprehensive air defense system. 

The law required the Department of Defense to submit and implement a plan for providing the Iraqi security forces and  Kurdistan Region with air defenses by July 2024. 

‘As a steadfast U.S. ally that is regularly targeted by extremist violence, the KRG requires assurances that it will be protected from all threats, both internal and external,’ said Aziz. 

Gen. Michael Kurilla, the commander of U.S. Central Command, told the House Armed Services Committee in March that ISIS-K, which launched a horrific attack in Moscow earlier this year, ‘retains the capability and the will to attack U.S. and Western interests abroad in as little as six months with little to no warning.’

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

previous post
Speaker Johnson rips ‘lack of leadership’ in Biden admin’s Helene response: ‘alarmed and disappointed’
next post
Fetterman lauds Israel for leaving Iran ‘exposed and humiliated’ after strikes on Hamas, Hezbollah

related articles

State Dept says DOGE’s changes will be permanent...

May 30, 2025

Jill Biden should have to answer for ‘cover...

May 29, 2025

DOGE staffing shakeup as Elon Musk hangs up...

May 29, 2025

Hawley urges DOJ probe of Chinese trucking company

May 29, 2025

Less than half of DOGE-terminated contracts can be...

May 29, 2025

Flashback: Top five wildest moments from Elon Musk’s...

May 29, 2025

Sen Ron Johnson suggests he may not run...

May 29, 2025

Justice Department tells American Bar Association it will...

May 29, 2025

Senate Republicans plan hearing on Biden’s alleged cognitive...

May 29, 2025

White House discloses who will lead DOGE efforts...

May 29, 2025
Enter Your Information Below To Receive Free Trading Ideas, Latest News, And Articles.


Your information is secure and your privacy is protected. By opting in you agree to receive emails from us. Remember that you can opt-out any time, we hate spam too!

Latest News

  • A Biden-era legal win paved the way for Trump’s Kennedy Center board firings

    February 25, 2025
  • ‘Tragic and shocking’: Explosive House report details ‘preventable’ July 13 Trump rally shooting

    October 21, 2024
  • ABC’s shameless debate didn’t even survive its own fact-check

    September 20, 2024
  • Europe markets open: Stoxx 600 points up; focus on Commerzbank earnings, US-China trade outlook

    May 9, 2025
  • Scott touts ‘deal guy’ background in bid for Senate majority leader

    November 10, 2024

Popular Posts

  • 1

    Secret Service admits leaning on ‘state and local partners’ after claim it ignored Trump team’s past requests

    July 21, 2024
  • 2

    Elon and Vivek should tackle US funding for this boondoogle organization and score a multimillion dollar win

    December 4, 2024
  • 3

    Forex Profit Calculator: Maximize Your Trading Potential

    July 10, 2024
  • 4

    Five more House Democrats call on Biden to drop out, third US senator

    July 19, 2024
  • 5

    Biden calls to ‘lower the temperature’ then bashes Trump in NAACP speech

    July 17, 2024

Categories

  • Economy (829)
  • Editor's Pick (4,721)
  • Investing (624)
  • Stock (773)

Latest Posts

  • Trump’s cuts to foreign aid could benefit US position in Iran negotiations, expert says

    February 8, 2025
  • Federal courts will not make criminal referrals to DOJ over separate ethics complaints against Justice Thomas

    January 3, 2025
  • 6 US governors to open talks with Canadian provincial leaders on tariffs

    May 6, 2025

Recent Posts

  • UAW, U.S. dealers increase criticism of Stellantis CEO over cuts, sales declines

    September 13, 2024
  • Vance says India-Pakistan conflict ‘none of our business’ as Trump offers US help

    May 9, 2025
  • ‘Act of war’: Biden administration under pressure to respond to Iran’s plot to kill Trump

    November 8, 2024

Editor’s Pick

  • Barrick Gold outperforms in Q2: Is it a buy with gold near record highs?

    August 12, 2024
  • JD Vance steps into spotlight defending Trump’s foreign policy in Oval Office dustup with Zelenskyy

    March 1, 2025
  • Trump, GOP leaders meet at White House as president plans visit to NC, defends executive orders

    January 22, 2025
  • About us
  • Contacts
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Disclaimer: moneyrisetoday.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

Copyright © 2025 moneyrisetoday.com | All Rights Reserved

Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Investing
  • Stock