Baghdad Breaks Silence on US Troop Movement in Iraq

Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin speaks during a meeting with Iraqi Defense Minister Thabit Al-Abbas in Washington on August 7, 2023 (AP)
Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin speaks during a meeting with Iraqi Defense Minister Thabit Al-Abbas in Washington on August 7, 2023 (AP)
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Baghdad Breaks Silence on US Troop Movement in Iraq

Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin speaks during a meeting with Iraqi Defense Minister Thabit Al-Abbas in Washington on August 7, 2023 (AP)
Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin speaks during a meeting with Iraqi Defense Minister Thabit Al-Abbas in Washington on August 7, 2023 (AP)

A security advisor to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani denied the presence of any American troop buildup in the country.

This marks the first official statement by a government representative over the issue.

Iraq has witnessed nearly daily reports, images and videos showing significant American military activity in the country, supported by news outlets affiliated with armed Shiite factions.

On Monday, Khalid Al-Yaqoubi, the security affairs advisor to the premier, refuted claims about a US troop buildup in Iraq. However, in statements to the official Iraqi News Agency, he affirmed that “there is a rotation of American units present in Syria.”

In what seems to be a reference to negotiations carried out by an Iraqi security delegation, led by the defense minister, in Washington last week, Al-Yaqoubi said: “The Iraqi leadership, in its negotiations with the Americans, focused on preserving Iraq’s sovereignty.”

“We have secured all our demands in the Washington negotiations.”

He added that “Baghdad and Washington have reached an agreement allowing the operation of drones in secure areas solely with the approval of the Iraqi government.”

“We have also agreed to establish a joint military committee between the two parties to counter the threat of ISIS,” revealed the advisor.

Regarding widespread rumors about US forces’ movements within Iraqi territory, Al-Yaqoubi said: “A lot of misleading information has been disseminated in the media.”

“There is no troop buildup; rather, there is a replacement of American units that were present in Syria,” he added.

Security sources in Iraq had previously commented on the arrival of US forces at the Ain al-Asad base in the Anbar province, stating that it was “part of the international coalition’s process of rotating its units.”

The information leaked by authorities to some media outlets did not go beyond confirming the notion of “rotation.”

However, this was enough for those who propagated the narrative of intensified US movements in Iraq.

Speculation often diverges on this matter, revolving around the idea that Washington is determined to dismantle armed factions loyal to Iran and bring about a fundamental change in political governance in Iraq.



Israeli Military Inquiry Says It ‘Failed to Protect’ Civilians on October 7

An aerial view shows members of the media during a visit to Kibbutz Kfar Aza, in the aftermath of a deadly attack by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, October 15, 2023. (Reuters)
An aerial view shows members of the media during a visit to Kibbutz Kfar Aza, in the aftermath of a deadly attack by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, October 15, 2023. (Reuters)
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Israeli Military Inquiry Says It ‘Failed to Protect’ Civilians on October 7

An aerial view shows members of the media during a visit to Kibbutz Kfar Aza, in the aftermath of a deadly attack by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, October 15, 2023. (Reuters)
An aerial view shows members of the media during a visit to Kibbutz Kfar Aza, in the aftermath of a deadly attack by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, October 15, 2023. (Reuters)

The Israeli military drastically underestimated the capabilities of Hamas before its attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, and "failed in its mission to protect Israeli civilians", a summary of an Israeli military investigation published on Thursday said.

The perception that Hamas was not interested in a full-scale conflict and that Israel would have ample warning if that changed went unchallenged for years, the summary said, resulting in a lack of preparedness and ability to respond to an attack.

"The belief was that Hamas could be influenced through pressures that would reduce its motivation for war, primarily by improving living conditions in the Gaza Strip," the report said.

The investigation looked at Israeli military strategy, battle behavior and intelligence before, during and after October 7, 2023, when Hamas fighters stormed southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

More than 48,000 people have been killed in Israel's assault on Gaza since then, according to Palestinian health officials. Much of the enclave has been laid waste and most of the territory's 2.3 million prewar population have been displaced multiple times, humanitarian agencies say. Around 400 Israeli soldiers have also been killed.

The military investigation was conducted as calls grow from within the Israeli opposition and civil society for a national inquiry into the government's failures on the deadliest single day in modern Israeli history.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said a national inquiry would only be appropriate after the conclusion of the war.

The first phase of a ceasefire that began on January 19 is due to expire in two days' time.

The military investigation found Israel had focused its intelligence and military efforts on other fronts, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, and relied too heavily "on intelligence, barriers, and defensive measures alone", and was thus caught by surprise.

Military commanders did not perceive an urgent threat leading up to October 7 attacks and did not reinforce the troops defending the border.

A statement from the Israeli Prime Minister's Office on Thursday said that the military had not given the prime minister the findings of its investigations into the war.