ERBIL — The Iraqi forces are not capable yet to protect Iraq against the threats it faces, said Joey Hood, chargé d'affaires at the US embassy in Baghdad.

“The Iraqi armed forces aren’t ready to safeguard [Iraq’s] security without the support of foreign troops,” Anadolu Agency quoted the US diplomat speaking to reporters on Tuesday in Baghdad.

Hood argued that the US military’s presence in Iraq is at the request of the Iraqi government.

He also described the recent media reports claiming troops mobilization from Syria to Iraq as “misinformation”. He stated that most of the footages and photographs dated back to 2006.

The diplomat also reiterated that his country will not use the Iraqi soil and airspace to attack other states in the region.

US President Donald Trump said earlier that he will keep forces in Iraq after the Syrian pullout in order to “watch Iran”. The remarks raised concerns among Iraqi leaders who believed the statement had violated their country’s sovereignty.

“President Trump has repeatedly said that he doesn’t want the US troops to wage ‘needless wars’,” Hood said. “He certainly doesn’t want a war with Iran.”

Bas News