Iraqi politicians call for withdrawal of US forces

Several Iraqi politicians yesterday demanded the withdrawal of American troops from the country after a walking tour by a US officer in Baghdad caused an uproar among those opposed to the presence of foreign troops in Iraq.

Gen Austin Renforth, deputy commander of US forces, toured Al Mutanabi Street in the Iraqi capital on Saturday with the head of Baghdad military operations, Gen Jalil Al Rubaie.

Since December, politicians and militia leaders have questioned the presence of US forces in the country and some have called for a vote in parliament on whether to expel foreign troops from the country.

Populist cleric Moqtada Al Sadr, who won national elections last year, has campaigned to curb US and Iranian involvement in Iraqi affairs.

“What happened on Saturday is a clear violation of Iraq’s sovereignty and independence, which showcases Washington’s agenda,” Hamdallah Rikabi, a spokesman for Mr Al Sadr’s parliamentary bloc, said yesterday.

“We reject these cowardly acts and warn US forces to ensure this is not repeated.”

He said the government must issue an official explanation to the Iraqi public.

“Our position remains the same in rejecting American policies that do not respect the sovereignty of Iraq,” he said.

American forces are stationed in Iraq as part of the international anti-ISIS coalition. Washington withdrew its troops in 2011 after invading in 2003 but returned in 2014 at the invitation of the Iraqi government.

Hadi Al Amiri, a Shiite militia leader and one of the most powerful figures in Iraq, voiced his opposition to US requests to establish additional military bases in the country.

“Today Iraq needs to unite on a national level to achieve full sovereignty,” Mr Al Amiri said.

Last month, US President Donald Trump made an unannounced visit to Iraq to meet US troops stationed in west Anbar. The move infuriated some legislators in Baghdad, who drew comparisons with the occupation of Iraq after the 2003 invasion.

Qais Khazali, the head of the Iran-backed Asaib Ahl Al Haq militia that fought crucial battles against ISIS in northern Iraq, said after Mr Trump’s visit that parliament should vote to expel US forces from Iraq, or the militias would force them out by “other means”.

Mr Khazali was imprisoned by British and US troops between 2007 and 2010 for involvement in a Shiite insurgency against the foreign forces.

The latest development came as Iraq marked the 98th anniversary of the establishment of the Iraqi army.

The army was activated on January 6, 1921, while the country was under British rule.

American forces left in 2011 after invading in 2003, but returned in 2014 at the invitation of the Iraqi government