Following the US drone strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, Iraq’s parliament has demanded the expulsion of US troops from the country. This move is in response to the violation of the agreement allowing the presence of US troops in Iraq, which was originally intended for training Iraqi forces in the fight against ISIS.
The resolution passed by the parliament calls for the Iraqi government to terminate the agreement that brought US forces into the country over four years ago to assist in combating the Islamic State extremist group.
Speaking to lawmakers, Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halboosi emphasized, “The Iraqi government has an obligation to end the presence of all foreign forces on Iraqi soil and prevent it from using Iraqi lands, waters, and airspace for any reason.”
Over 180 lawmakers voted in favor of the resolution, with predominantly Shiite members supporting the expulsion, while Sunni and Kurdish lawmakers abstained from the session due to their opposition to the removal of US troops.
Although the parliament’s vote is non-binding, with the decision to expel US troops lying with the Iraqi Prime Minister, who invited the troops, the resolution reflects the growing tension and calls for a re-evaluation of the US presence in the region.