Iraq Votes to Eject All Foreign Troops

5K US troops would have to leave in vote taken 2 days after drone strike killed Iranian general
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jan 5, 2020 8:59 AM CST
Iraqi Parliament Votes to Boot US Troops From Country
Mourners step over a US flags with pictures of US President Trump, under a picture of Qasem Soleimani with Arabic that reads "We are all Soleimani and al-Muhandis."   (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

Iraq's parliament has voted to expel the US military from the country, reports the AP. Lawmakers voted Sunday in favor of a resolution that calls for ending foreign military presence in the country. The resolution's main aim is to get the US to withdraw some 5,000 US troops present in different parts of Iraq. The vote comes two days after a US airstrike killed Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani inside Iraq, dramatically increasing regional tensions. The Iraqi resolution specifically calls for ending an agreement in which Washington sent troops to Iraq more than four years ago to help in the fight against the Islamic State. The resolution was backed by most Shiite members of parliament, who hold a majority of seats. Many Sunni and Kurdish legislators did not show up for the session, apparently because they oppose abolishing the deal. (Trump is telling Iran to retaliate for the strike at its own peril.)

Get breaking news in your inbox.
What you need to know, as soon as we know it.
Sign up
Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X