Al Sudani Supports Indefinite Presence of US Forces in Iraq
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani defended the presence of US forces in his country, saying they are still needed.
Al Sudani said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal that “the need for foreign forces is still there, and the elimination of the terrorist group ISIS needs more time.”
Al Sudani was referring to U.S. and NATO contingents that train and assist Iraqi units in fighting the terrorist group but remain largely spared actual combat.
Al Sudani did not set a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq.
ISIS continues to pose a challenge to Iraq’s internal security and stability despite its loss of the cities it overran in the summer of 2014.
Al-Qaeda elements have launched various attacks targeting police and army personnel in several areas despite the efforts of Iraqi forces to strike their strongholds.