U.S. Cuts Troops in Iraq to 2,500
 

U.S. Cuts Troops in Iraq to 2,500
By: VOA News - 01-15-21
Re: https://www.voanews.com/middle-east/...oops-iraq-2500

Photo link: https://im-media.voltron.voanews.com...?itok=ErAG4DvK
FILE - Iraqi army soldiers in a M1A1 Abrams tank, purchased from the U.S., participate in joint training with U.S. troops at the Besmaya Combat Training Center southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, Aug 24, 2010.

Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Christopher Miller, said Friday the United States has cut troops in Iraq to 2,500, meeting a goal set by the Trump administration late last year.

“The drawdown of U.S. force levels in Iraq is reflective of the increased capabilities of the Iraqi Security Forces, Miller said in a statement five days before Trump leaves office to make way for President-elect Joe Biden’s incoming administration.

“We have long anticipated that the force level required to support Iraq’s fight against ISIS would decrease as Iraq’s capability to manage the threat from ISIS improves. Our ability to reduce force levels is evidence of real progress,” Miller added, using an acronym for the Islamic State terror group.

U.S. Cuts Troops in Iraq to 2,500
By VOA News - January 15, 2021 01:24 PM

Iraqi Army soldiers in a M1A1 Abrams tank, purchased from the U.S., participate in joint training with U.S. troops at the…
FILE - Iraqi army soldiers in a M1A1 Abrams tank, purchased from the U.S., participate in joint training with U.S. troops at the Besmaya Combat Training Center southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, Aug 24, 2010.
Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Christopher Miller, said Friday the United States has cut troops in Iraq to 2,500, meeting a goal set by the Trump administration late last year.

“The drawdown of U.S. force levels in Iraq is reflective of the increased capabilities of the Iraqi Security Forces, Miller said in a statement five days before Trump leaves office to make way for President-elect Joe Biden’s incoming administration.

“We have long anticipated that the force level required to support Iraq’s fight against ISIS would decrease as Iraq’s capability to manage the threat from ISIS improves. Our ability to reduce force levels is evidence of real progress,” Miller added, using an acronym for the Islamic State terror group.

A U.S. military vehicle, part of a convoy, arrives near Dahuk, Iraqi, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said…
US to Reduce Troop Levels in Iraq
US will cut its troop numbers from 5,200 to 3,500, according to newspaper reports, and eventually to zero
The acting defense secretary said the troop reduction in Iraq does not represent a change in U.S. policy and is consistent with plans to reduce the involvement of U.S. troops in large combat operations in the Middle Eastern country.

“U.S. and Coalition forces remain in Iraq to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS,” he said. “The government of Iraq and the U.S. government agree that ISIS remains a threat and that a U.S. and Coalition presence remains vital.”

The acting secretary said the U.S. would maintain “a counterterrorism platform in Iraq to support partner forces with airpower and intelligence.”

More than 4,500 U.S. troops have been killed in Iraq since a U.S.-led coalition invaded Iraq in 2003 and ousted the government of Saddam Hussein, according to Pentagon statistics, while more than 32,000 have been injured.

Miller also announced Friday the U.S. military met its goal of cutting more than 2,500 troops from Afghanistan, despite congressional approval of a bill two weeks ago that forbids federal expenditures to reduce the number of troops below 4,000.

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Personal note: Well its seems we are pulling our troops out of harms way for some period of time unless all hell breaks loose in one or more areas in that area. We will have to wait and see how it works out?

Boats