"America is a force for good in the Middle East," said a State Department spokesman, who said the U.S. would not discuss a military withdrawal.
BAGHDAD — The Trump administration on Friday rebuffed demands from Iraq's prime minister to begin planning for the withdrawal of U.S troops from Iraq.
"At this time, any delegation sent to Iraq would be dedicated to discussing how to best recommit to our strategic partnership – not to discuss troop withdrawal, but our right, appropriate force posture in the Middle East," said Morgan Ortagus, the spokeswoman. Abdul-Mahdi has called the U.S. strike a political"assassination" and a violation of Iraqi sovereignty.
Iraq's parliament on Sunday approved a nonbinding resolution calling for U.S. troops to leave. Abdul-Mahdi's comments to Pompeo suggests he is pushing ahead with that demand, despite recent steps toward de-escalation between Tehran and Washington that have put Iraq on the brink of a proxy war between the U.S. and Iran.More: Iran plane crash: U.S.
Ortagus said the U.S has been"unambiguous" about how crucial the U.S. mission is in Iraq. America troops are there to help fight the Islamic State. She said U.S. officials are willing to talk to Iraqi leaders, but not about withdrawing.
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