In a Monday letter to Iraqi military leaders, the US-led coalition in Iraq announced it was preparing to “move out” of the country out of respect for Iraqi sovereignty. However, American defense leaders have denied US troops are going anywhere.
Following approval of a non-binding resolution by Iraq's parliament calling for US forces to leave the country, US military commanders announced they were drawing up preparatory plans for their departure.
A Pentagon spokesperson could not immediately confirm the authenticity of the letter to Reuters, although an Iraqi commander did. Despite the letter, US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said Monday afternoon, “there's been no decision whatsoever to leave Iraq. Period.”
“I don't know what that letter is … We're trying to find out where that's coming from, what that is,” Esper told Reuters.
“We respect your sovereign decision to order our departure,” the letter says, according to Reuters. US forces will re-position themselves over the coming days and weeks in preparation for the move, the letter states.
“In due deference to the sovereignty of the Republic of Iraq, and as requested by the Iraqi Parliament and the Prime Minister, CJTF-OIR [Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve] will be repositioning forces over the course of the coming days and weeks to prepare for onward movement,” states the letter, addressed to Iraqi Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir and signed by…
