The Washington Times: Trump administration negotiate Baghdad and Erbil to keep the US force in Iraq

The Washington Times: Trump administration negotiate Baghdad and Erbil to keep the US force in Iraq


While talking US and Iraqi officials about the impending defeat of the organization Daesh in Iraq, President Trump faces a challenge for the conclusion of President Obama 's failure to stick to an agreement: an agreement with Baghdad to keep US troops in Iraq after the end of fighting.
Senior US officials said the negotiations between Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abbadi and US officials in Baghdad on a new agreement on the status of US forces began in earnest this month.
Will determine the Convention , the foundations of legal, diplomatic and standards underlying the long - term US military presence in the country and avoid the power vacuum that occurred after US troops pulled out in December 2011.
This issue is sensitive in Iraq, Mr. Abadi insisted this month that he would not be there . " combat troops "in Iraq after the defeat Daesh, although the two sides said that the talks on the long - term role of the US military in the country is well under way. The official , who traveled to Baghdad with Defense Minister James Mattis , "is not finished anything."
The estimated number of US troops in Iraq , including nearly 7 thousand , including several hundred special forces fighters who advise the Iraqi army in the siege of Mosul. The total number of US troops in Iraq peaked when President George W. Bush decided to step up combat operations against terrorist groups before the rise of the organization Daesh, where there were about 170 thousand US troops in Iraq.
He received the new agreement on the status of forces on the support of a prominent Iraqi Kurdish leader.
He said the Security Council was pleased Barzani of the Kurdistan Regional Adviser and the son of the President of the Kurdistan Regional Government Massoud Barzani in a visit to Washington that he and his father would support an agreement allowing US troops to remain in Iraqi Kurdistan after the restoration of Mosul.
Iraqi officials said Daesh now controls only two areas in eastern Mosul, where the majority of the city are subject to Iraqi control after months of fierce fighting.
Barzani said in a speech , "We always support the presence of US troops in the country." "We have to prepare for the post, Daesh."
The potential Kurdish payment for the establishment of an independent state is one of the sources of instability in Iraq. Mosul clashes have raised some tensions between Sunnis and Shiites
and headed the Barzani Kurdish delegation in the meetings of high - level talks with senior officials on the continuation of American military and political relations between Washington and the Kurdistan Regional Government.
Despite their cooperation on the battlefield, it has been the relationship between Erbil and Baghdad tense. The Kurds claim, among other things, that the central government has failed to provide the funds and resources promised by the Kurdish regions of Iraq.
Despite continuing fears of renewed unrest in Iraq, the road to reach agreement on a new agreement for the survival of troops still faces political risks.
Shortly after the spread of news about the talks on the survival of US forces in Iraq after the restoration of Mosul, Mr. Abadi reiterated his assertions that there is no US combat troops in the country. According to the Associated Press news agency reported that US military advisers working alongside Iraqi security forces will allow them to stay to ensure "full alert" inside the country to face any "future security challenges."
Analysts said his comments reflect the embarrassing situation of, and will be forced Mr. Abadi to talk with the parties in the Iraqi government and bring them in line for the completion of forces agreement with Washington, rather than giving up any agreement on the status of forces.
Said Jim Phillips, a senior analyst in the Middle East in the "Heritage" Foundation, said that "public discourse by Mr. Abadi , makes it close to Massoud Barzani and other political intermediaries to conduct negotiations with Trump 's management."
Among the other parties that are likely to have an opinion in the talks , former Prime Minister Nuri al - Maliki and former president and Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani and Muqtada al - Sadr , a Shiite cleric and politician.
Other figures that could have a significant impact also Interior Minister Qasim al - Araji , and Defense Minister Irfan Hayali.
Mr. Araji several times by US forces in Iraq have been arrested on charges of weapons used to smuggle to attack US forces before the US and coalition forces Taathacd to start military operations against al Daesh in 2015 and controlled by his ministry on most of the Iraqi security services, including federal police,
Mr. Hayali , the commander of the Iraqi special forces , known as the "golden band" before Abadi appointed defense minister. The band led Iraqi forces attack on Mosul, under the control of the organization Daesh in October and inflicted heavy losses of the organization. "
As the commander of the Iraqi forces, Mr. Hayali also has links to allow him to speak with factions of the popular crowd.
He criticized Trump publicly invasion of Iraq in 2003, You will have to market other long - term and other military participation to public opinion , which is tired of the war, a work that is likely to be on the smelting of Mr. Trump 's adviser Jared Kushner.
In April, Mr. Kouchner , a helmet placed on his head and wore a bulletproof vest and the a visit to Baghdad , accompanied by the Chief of Staff of the Strkh Gen. Joseph F.. Donford for a discussion with senior military commanders in Iraq on the face of the organization Daesh Mr. Kouchner was also one of several senior officials of the national security, including the US national security adviser.
The troubled talks between Mr. Obama and Mr. Maliki, took place in while Mr. Obama has promised to end US combat missions and long - term in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and revealed the diplomatic and military mines that will have to navigate what the two sides , including fields.
Obama administration officials wanted legally binding guarantees that US troops stationed in the post - war Iraq will not be subject to Iraqi jurisdiction. Which he was not ready to accept al - Maliki , recalling cases of torture and abuse of Iraqi personnel by US forces at Abu Ghraib prison , notorious and elsewhere in the country. This caused the impasse ultimately stopped the talks and led to the withdrawal of US forces in late 2011.
However, Mr. Phillips of the Heritage Institute says that Mr. Obama deserves much of the blame for his insistence that the approval of any agreement to keep troops through the vote of the Iraqi parliament instead to be issued as an executive agreement with al - Maliki. This led the demand to bury the agreement.
Phillips said: "They knew it was a way to escape," he said , adding that the Obama administration knew that al - Maliki does not have the political will to pass the agreement after the war within the Iraqi parliament.


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