US rejects Abdul Mahdi’s bid to discuss US troop withdrawal

WASHINGTON DC (Kurdistan 24) – Following the announcement on Friday by Iraq’s caretaker Prime Minister, Adil Abdul Mahdi, that he had asked the US to send a delegation to Baghdad to discuss the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq, the State Department made clear that the US does not intend to do so and would continue its fight in Iraq against the so-called Islamic State. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo explained that Washington was ready to discuss with Baghdad the proper mix of forces which it maintains in Iraq, but not a full withdrawal of US troops. Earlier that day, Abdul Mahdi issued a statement, summarizing a phone conversation he had with...