Saturday, September 28, 2024
US Officials: “United States is not Withdrawing from Iraq’, 28 SEPT
WASHINGTON DC, United States (Kurdistan 24) “To be clear, the United States is not withdrawing from Iraq,” a senior administration official said, as he, along with a senior U.S. defense official, briefed reporters on Friday on the future of Washington’s security relations with Baghdad.
In the course of the briefing, as journalists pressed for clarity, the senior defense official described the Kurdistan Region as “a very productive location from which to do our counter-ISIS operations.”
Briefing was to Clarify US-Iraqi Understanding, but Questions Remain
The purpose of the briefing was to clarify the status of discussions between the U,S. and Iraq on a “Transition Plan for Combined Joint Task Force—Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq” (the formal name for the anti-ISIS Coalition), as the Pentagon and State Department titled the briefing.
But the event actually left journalists befuddled, with many of their questions unanswered. What exactly had the U.S. and Iraq agreed upon?
Two things were clear. One is that the Coalition’s mission in most of Iraq will end in September 2025. Security relations between Iraq and the U.S., as well as Iraq’s ties with some of the other members of the Coalition, will transition then from multilateral to bilateral relations.
The Coalition’s mission in the Kurdistan Region will last longer: “until at least September 2026, subject to conditions on the ground and, obviously, consultations among future political leaders of Iraq, the United States, and Coalition members,” the senior administration official explained.
The ostensible reason for the difference is that “the U.S. and Iraq recognize that ISIS in Syria remains a significant threat to the region and are committed to continued working to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS,” he said.
The forces of the anti-ISIS Coalition in Syria are supplied out of the Kurdistan Region. Hence, the apparent need for extending the Coalition presence in Erbil.
But doing so also provides flexibility in regard to the future of the anti-ISIS Coalition in Iraq as a whole. If the situation deteriorates, it will be easier to surge troops back into the country.
Whatever the reason, the extension of the Coalition presence in Erbil will be welcomed by the Kurdish leadership.
Indeed, when the long-time Kurdish leader, Masoud Barzani, now head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), visited Baghdad in July, he met with the U.S. ambassador, Alina Romanowski.
Barzani advised Romanowski that the continued presence of Coalition forces is a national issue transcending party lines, underscoring the importance of considering Iraq's stability and national interests.
The U.S. is Not Leaving Iraq—this is a Transition
The second point that the two officials made clear in their briefing is that the U.S. is not leaving Iraq. Rather, this is a transition—“an evolution of the military mission in Iraq,” in the words of the senior administration official.
He stressed that while “ISIS is down, they are not out” and “ISIS continues to pose a real threat, although diminished, in Iraq and the wider region.”
“We will continue to work with the Iraqi Security Force, including the Kurdish Peshmerga forces, to build up their capabilities and ensure an Iraqi-led enduring defeat of ISIS,” he added.
However, when journalists pressed for clarification of the future of the U.S. presence in Iraq—like how many troops would remain, where would they be based, etc.—the general response was that those details are still under discussion.
“We’re not going to speak to our plans concerning specific base locations or troop numbers,” the senior defense official responded, as he replied to one such question.
“We have been, and will continue to be, in active dialogue with the government of Iraq about how our bilateral relationship will evolve, which will certainly include changes to our force posture and troop numbers,” he continued. “For now, that remains in a planning process and under review.”
Even with such reluctance from the briefers to provide details on future U.S. deployments in Iraq, it did seem reasonable to conclude that one key reason for keeping troops in Erbil was to supply the forces that will continue to fight ISIS in Syria.
But even this, the briefers would not confirm. However, the senior defense official did respond to such a question with an expression of appreciation of the ties between the U.S. and the KRG.
“Just to speak about Erbil,” he said, “we do, of course, have a significant presence there and a strong partnership with the Kurdish Regional Government that is the host under the Iraqi federal government as well, and so that’s been a very productive location from which to do our counter-ISIS operations.”
EXCERPTS FROM CHRONICLES 14 Q & A WITH GINGER, 28 SEPT
EXCERPTS FROM CHRONICLES 14 Q & A WITH GINGER
Member: Yeah, hi. I have a couple of questions. I just realized the other day when I was looking on a question being answered about Zim, that you have to have the hundred trillion, but, two five hundreds don't pay out, is that true?
Ginger: Fake news. Yeah, that’s fake news. In my honest, honest, honest belief, your Zim is going to be honored. I have various notes, 50 billion here, and I have absolutely every expectation that they'll be honored. I definitely feel that the news that only 100 trillion is even accepted, I believe
that is cabal fear porn. I believe that is leaked information into the humanitarian community to instill fear, or maybe it's even from people who have a need to press on and give that kind of risk or scare, because, guess what, they just happen to be selling the 100 trillion, so they make a profit. You know, they stand to make some money, or some commissions if their followers buy said notes because, of course, those are the best ones and you're going to have to have that if you don't want to be disappointed. You see what I'm saying? They have an ulterior motivation, you see. But you remember, if you listen to the Chronicles, you're going to really hear the heart of the Celestial Alliance and the heart for humanitarians. Are they exclusive?
Member: Yeah, I've listened to all of them. I was just worried because when I saw that, I was like, oh, no, I planned on my healing center. I've got all my plans already. And I was like, I better check into that. Thank you so much. That makes me feel a lot better.
TELEGRAM CHAT ROOM GINGER'S LIBERTY ROOM
Iraqi Prime Minister Al-Sudani warns of global disorder, urges greater UN action in UNGA speech, 28 SEPT
Shafaq News/ In a forceful speech delivered Thursday evening at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani highlighted pressing global challenges, warning that the international system faces a critical test that threatens its very existence.
Speaking at a time of escalating tensions in the Middle East, Al-Sudani emphasized the failure of international institutions, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to maintain peace and uphold human rights. "The international system is facing a difficult test that threatens its very existence," he said, pointing to a world where violations of treaties and norms are becoming increasingly rampant.
Al-Sudani criticized the lack of effective action by the Security Council, particularly in response to the ongoing conflict in Palestine and Lebanon. "Stopping the violations happening in Palestine and the region is everyone's responsibility, particularly the Security Council, which has failed to achieve its primary goal of maintaining international peace and security," he remarked, calling the treatment of the Palestinian people by Israel an "extermination" through "collective starvation," without any deterrent measures from the international community.
The Prime Minister reiterated Iraq’s solidarity with Lebanon, stating that both the government and people of Iraq, guided by religious authority, stand with Lebanon against what he termed “aggression aimed at plunging the region into conflicts.” Al-Sudani also condemned the targeting of international and humanitarian organizations, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Gaza.
He expressed concern over the broader global implications of the ongoing conflicts, warning that recent actions by Israel could "ignite a large-scale regional war" and destabilize the entire region.
In a wide-ranging speech, Al-Sudani also addressed domestic progress in Iraq, highlighting the country’s post-ISIS recovery and ongoing reconstruction. He emphasized Iraq’s strides in security, economic reforms, and governance.
“Iraq is now implementing a comprehensive reconstruction and development plan, reviving life in its cities,” he said, celebrating the country's victory over terrorism and the upcoming joint declaration marking the defeat of ISIS alongside Iraq's international allies.
Al-Sudani reaffirmed Iraq’s commitment to advancing democratic processes, noting the organization of provincial council elections after a 10-year delay and preparations for elections in the Kurdistan Region.
Looking forward, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of regional cooperation, outlining Iraq’s ambitious "Development Road" project to position the country as a key regional hub for trade and transportation, linking the Middle East with Europe. He described the initiative as "a crucial step in enhancing regional cooperation and integration" to rebuild Iraq's economy.
Al-Sudani concluded his address by calling on the international community to support Iraq’s ongoing reforms and efforts to recover stolen funds. He also urged global action to address environmental challenges like desertification and climate change, which have severely impacted Iraq and the region.
As Iraq prepares to chair the G77+China group in 2025, Al-Sudani underscored Iraq's diplomatic victory and its commitment to achieving development goals and reforming the international economic system. "Our policy puts Iraq, its security, sovereignty, and prosperity first," he said, expressing optimism for Iraq’s future role on the global stage.
WE SHOULD REMAIN VERY ALERT TO THIS MONDAY BY TEXAS SNAKE, 28 SEPT
Texas Snake
SEPT 27
In discussion with several folks this evening all appear to conclude we should remain very alert to this Monday.
Much of this a result from the speech by the PM at the UN today.
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