Iraqi lawmakers call for end to US military presence

Iraqi lawmakers have called for the withdrawal of US troops, saying they see no justification for the presence of foreign troops about a year after the defeat of the Daesh terrorist group in Iraq.

The American presence “is, in my opinion, a violation of the Iraqi sovereignty,” Amer al-Shebli, a lawmaker, told Press TV on Friday. “After ending terrorism, the previous Parliament should have taken a serious action to force all foreign forces to leave Iraq,” the MP added.

“Sovereignty is the most valuable asset in any nation. The sacrifices of the Iraqi people in their fight against Daesh show how important their country’s sovereignty is for them. Today, no country will allow foreign military bases on its land,” said another legislator Kadhim al-Sayadi.

Some lawmakers said the presence of US forces in Iraq had to be based on a legal framework.

“The presence of any foreign forces inside Iraq can only be done through agreements with the Iraqi government, and these agreements cannot be passed without the approval of the Parliament,” said Diar Barawri, an MP with the Kurdish Democratic Party.

Another lawmaker expressed concern over the ever-increasing number of US forces in the country.

“The presence of US forces in Iraq is illegal. As a member of the Parliament’s Security Committee, we voice our concern over the presence of the US military and the constant increase in the number of the soldiers,” said Adnan al-Assadi. 

“They have thousands of soldiers here. Yet, the government says they are advisors,” he added.

SS