Tillerson Explains Why US Forces Should Remain in Iraq

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson declared that American forces would hypothetically stay in Iraq in order to defeat the Islamic State group, even if the government in Baghdad requests the U.S. leave, Defense News reports.
Tillerson, appearing with Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis in front of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, indicated American forces have the right to stay in Iraq under the 2001 and 2002 Authorizations for the Use of Military Force (AUMF), a long-standing justification for military action around the globe, until the fight against ISIS is concluded.
The statement came up in response to a question from Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., who asked "If U.S. forces are told to leave, will we depart Iraq or will be stay uninvited as our forces are doing in Syria, and under what legal authority will they remain?"
Tillerson noted: "We will remain in Iraq until ISIS is defeated and we are confident that ISIS has been defeated."
Other materials on this subject
- Rockets Hit Iraq's Ain al-Asad Air Base Hosting US Troops The attack caused no significant losses, Iraqi’s military said without going into further detail.
- Trump to Announce Further Reduction in US Troops in Iraq A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters news agency in August that the country expected to reduce the number of its troops in Iraq by about a third in the coming months.
- Rockets Target Iraqi Military Base Housing US Forces The rocket strike is the latest in a long-running series of low-level attacks believed to be carried out by Iran-sponsored militias in Iraq.
- Iraq Arrests ISIS Leader Abdulnasser al-Qirdash Said to Be al-Baghdadi’s Successor The latest raid that led to the capture and arrest of al-Qirdash comes a month after Mustafa al-Kadhimi, Iraq’s former intelligence chief, became the country’s prime minister.
- Iraq Closes Southern Border with Iran to Travelers The security source said Tehran had demanded the closure because of ongoing public protests in both Iran and Iraq.
-
19:17
5-Day Weather Forecast in Armenia
-
18:11
Congressman Pallone Asks Biden Administration to Address Issue of Armenian Captives and Azerbaijan’s Gross Violations
-
17:31
Some Roads are Closed in Armenia
-
15:40
Foundations of State Strengthened Only by Highest Protection of Your Rights: Armenian Ombudsman
-
14:27
Course of Our History Has Shown How Strong Armenian Women Are: Armenian President
-
13:01
Body Search Operation Suspended Due to Fog and Poor Visibility
-
12:33
Armenia Records 175016 Confirmed Coronavirus Cases
-
11:16
Dear Mothers and Sisters, We wish that You Meet this Holiday of Reverence with Hope and Comfort: Karekin II
-
10:36
30-Meter-High Armenian Flag Raised in Shurnukh Village (video)
-
15:41
5-Day Weather Forecast in Armenia
-
13:18
There Should Be No Flags and Signs on Roads or in Immediate Vicinity of Villages in Syunik Province: Arman Tatoyan
-
12:15
Armenia Records 174679 Confirmed Coronavirus Cases
-
11:41
Bill Urging Azerbaijan to Release Armenian POWs Coming to Congress
-
10:33
Sunday of Steward
-
09:10
Some Roads are Closed in Armenia
-
18:48
Armenia’s President Requests Meeting With Homeland Salvation Movement Leaders- Ishkhan Saghatelyan
-
16:50
Pope Francis, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani Hold Closed Meeting in Iraq
-
15:39
In Armenia the Air Temperature Will Gradually Go Down
-
14:33
Armenian, Iranian FMs Discuss Issues of Regional Security and Stability
-
12:33
Demilitarized Buffer Zone Needs to Be Created in Syunik Province to Guarantee Residents' Rights: Armenia Ombudsman:
day
week
month
-
20:21
A Wider Alliance Should Be Formed to Oppose Erdogan's Aggressive Policy
-
11:47
Armenia National Flag is Blessed in Iraq’s Erbil (PHOTOS)
-
13:37
Search Works of Bodies of Killed Servicemen Resume
-
11:18
4 More Bodies of Fallen Servicemen Found During Search Operations, Artsakh Authorities Say
-
12:13
Artsakh: Search Օperation not to Be Conducted Today Due to Weather Conditions
-
14:50
3,577 Bodies Passed Forensic Examination, DNA Analysis of Other 428 in Process
-
18:56
Garegin Nzhdeh Statue not Demolished in Martuni Town of Artsakh
-
20:06
Turkish State Channel Showed a Map of Expanding Influence on Armenia, Georgia and a Number of Territories of Russia
-
15:44
Search Operations for War Casualties in Areas Beyond Artsakh’s Control Suspended Indefinitely
-
10:11
Search Operations in South Artsakh Give no Result
Humidity: 73%
Wind: 5 km/h