Reports of a US pullout from Iraq were a “mistake”

7
1978

The media is reporting that General William Seely advised the Iraq officials that the U.S.-led coalition is leaving Iraq. A letter is going around from the general indicating they are leaving. However, The Daily Mail reports that the Defense secretary Mark Esper says U.S. troops are NOT withdrawing despite the general’s letter to the contrary. They ‘won’t’ withdraw according to the latest information.

Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the letter from the top U.S. commander in Iraq was a poorly worded draft that was being worked on with the Iraqi government.

“That letter is a draft. It was a mistake, it was unsigned, it should not have been released … (it was) poorly worded, implies withdrawal, that is not what’s happening,” Milley said.
“It’s an honest mistake … it should not have been sent,” he added.
The media put this out without calling the Defense Department or General Seely or the White House. They only called the Iraqi general. It’s the media’s mistake.

THE STORY

General William Seely, who just added another star, is in charge of the U.S. coalition forces in Iraq and he allegedly told his military counterpart in Iraq to prepare for helicopter flights as troops pull up stakes.

The troops, he said, would move out soon under cover of darkness.

President Trump, however, said he wouldn’t leave unless they paid him for the money the U.S. spent on the very expensive base. He also threatened sanctions if the U.S. is forced out.

This is all the result of a non-binding resolution passed by Iranian-backed parliament members, minus minority Sunnis/Kurds, urging the government to expel American troops and the coalition. That was a response to the termination of terror-general Soleimani and his colleagues.

THEY ARE NOT LEAVING

Secretary Esper and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley contradicted General Seely’s letter. “There’s been no decision whatsoever to leave Iraq, period.

“There are no plans to leave,” he emphasized. He hinted that they are discussing a massive troop movement, possibly within Iraq’s borders. [It is possible that they are considering moving to the Kurdistan region, which is still technically Iraq.]

In the letter, General Seely wrote, “Sir, in deference to the sovereignty of the Republic of Iraq, and as requested by the Iraqi Parliament and the Prime minister, [the coalition] will be repositioning forces over the course of the coming days and weeks to prepare for onward movement.” He added, “We respect your sovereign decision to order our departure.”

An Iraqi defense official confirmed the letter was real and had been delivered.

There are about 5,200 troops stationed across Iraq in bases.

Iraq is still in danger from ISIS. Ending America’s 17-year military presence could cripple the fight against ISIS. The ISIS terrorists hide in the hills in northern and western Iraq.

The other problem is it allows Iran to take over, although they are almost in complete control now. Iraq is majority Shia as is Iran.

The Letter:


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Anonymous
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Anonymous
2 years ago

Just a follow up, Bill Seely put on another star.

doni609
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doni609
4 years ago

I would think that former General Seely should consider what his employment opportunities are after military life.

Dave Jensen
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Dave Jensen
4 years ago

I am very disappointed in Trump. One of the things he ran on was getting us out of the endless wars. We have accomplished nothing other than killing many good men and spending trillions. Those people can’t be civilized in a thousand years. He says he won’t leave until they pay him a billion for the base. We probably spend that much every couple of weeks for absolutely nothing but more deaths and injuries. Get out while we have the chance or we may never get out.

Omayhemo
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Omayhemo
4 years ago
Reply to  Dave Jensen

WTF, Seriously? Which good men have we killed? Furthermore, how in the hell is this Trump’s fault? You’re clueless. Bad people live in the world, should we hide from them?

Greg
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Greg
4 years ago

Second thoughts??

…Officials in Iraq have stepped back from threats to expel US forces after Donald Trump threatened to impose sanctions over the Iraqi parliament’s vote for a retaliation for the killing of the Iranian general Qassem Suleimani in Baghdad by a US drone strike.

…The military spokesman for the acting Iraqi prime minister, Adel Abdul Mahdi, who met with the US ambassador on Monday to implement the decision, said any withdrawal would only involve combat forces and not training and logistical support for the Iraqi military, which have been core components of the US presence in Iraq in recent years.

…The US president’s threats to impose sanctions on Iraq that will “Make Iranian sanctions seem somewhat tame”, led some Iraqi MPs to urge a softening of the parliament’s position.

…Adel Abdul Mahdi meets with the US ambassador to Iraq, Matthew Tueller, in Baghdad, Iraq.

…Some within the US government had begun to realise that Iran had more aegis and leverage in Iraq and in recent months hopes had gathered that a large anti-government uprising against the Iraqi government could weaken Iran’s hold.

Greg
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Greg
4 years ago

There’s a couple issues here. What the hell is a General doing penning such a letter without specific orders to do so. He should be removed from his post for such an act. This wasn’t just some draft, but on letterhead paper.

Also, it irks me to no end that reporters jump so quick on these situations without EVER bothering to confirm anything. Just as Trump says, none of these “reporters” ever bother to ask the Administration for comment, on anything.

Fred Kruger
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Fred Kruger
4 years ago
Reply to  Greg

Most likely the general was told to prepare a draft letter for a ‘just in case’ situation. This is routinely common within all the military branches. My guess is that some Marxist-democrat weasel in his command purloined the unsigned draft and leaked it. The deep state does have many snakes in the military, think Vindman and his disreputable ilk.