The US-led coalition fighting against ISIS has told the Iraqi military that it “respects” their sovereign decision to order the departure of foreign troops. On Sunday Iraq’s parliament called for US and other foreign military forces to leave amid a growing backlash against the killing of Iranian General Soleimani.
The Iraqi parliament passed a non-binding resolution calling on the government to work to end all foreign troop presence.
In a letter to the Iraqi military, the US-led coalition fighting against ISIS, said: “We respect your sovereign decision to order our departure”.
The letter, seen by Reuters, read: “Sir, in deference to the sovereignty of the Republic of Iraq, and as requested by the Iraqi Parliament and the Prime Minister, CJTF-OIR will be repositioning forces over the course of the coming days and weeks to prepare for onward movement.”
The letter was reportedly sent from the United States Marine Corps Brigadier General William H Seely III, the commanding general of Task Force Iraq, and was addressed to the Iraqi defence ministry’s Combined Joint Operations Baghdad.
US write to Iraqi military ‘respecting’ order to leave (Image: NC)
Qassem Soleimani was killed in a US airstrike on Friday (Image: GETTY)
The letter sparked widespread confusion among experts, as some suggested the US-led coalition could see troops remain in the region, while some troops currently situated in the Green Zone are relocated.
The letter is thought to have been sent is due to increased helicopter air traffic expected in the coming days as some troops and equipment are moved.
Later on Monday, the US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said the US had no plans to pull out of Iraq.
When asked about the letter, Esper said: “There’s been no decision whatsoever to leave Iraq.
“I don’t know what that letter is…We’re trying to find out where that’s coming from, what that is. But there’s been no decision made to leave Iraq. period.”
Esper added the United States was still committed to countering ISIS in Iraq, alongside America’s allies and partners.
READ MORE: World War 3: Trump makes vow Iran will never have nuclear weapon
Funeral held for Qassem Soleimani in Iran (Image: GETTY)
Following the decision to request an end to all foreign troop presence in the country on Sunday, an Iraqi resolution read: “The Iraqi government must work to end the presence of any foreign troops on Iraqi soil and prohibit them from using its land, air space or water for any reason.”
Later on Sunday, the UK Government responded by urging Iraq to allow UK soldiers to continue the fight there against terror group ISIS.
A UK Government spokesman said: “The coalition is in Iraq to help protect Iraqis and others from the threat from Daesh (Islamic State), at the request of the Iraqi government.
“We urge the Iraqi government to ensure the coalition is able to continue our vital work countering this shared threat.”
DON’T MISS:
World War 3: Does Iran have nukes? What will Iran do next? [INSIGHT]
WW3: NATO blasts Iran’s ‘destabilising activity’ and backs Trump [VIDEO]
World War 3: Number of US forces in Middle East exposed [MAPPED]
Donald Trump has continued with fiery rhetoric on Twitter (Image: GETTY)
The UK’s call to Baghdad followed the non-binding vote by Iraqi MPs at the weekend backing a motion demanding the withdrawal of all foreign troops from their country.
Around 400 British Army soldiers are involved in training Iraqi troops to combat ISIS as well as around 5,200 US troops in the country.
It comes as it was reported the UK has reduced its staff at Iran and Iraq embassies after Soleimani’s death.
The withdrawal of the diplomats was seen as a precautionary step rather than based on specific intelligence of a threat, Sky News reported.
World War 3 fears: Baghdad strike on Friday by the US (Image: NC)
Tensions in the region reached boiling point after Iranian General Qassem Soleimani was killed following a US drone strike on his convoy at Baghdad airport on Friday.
Iran responded to the killing by claiming there would be severe retaliation.
The US President has hit out with fiery rhetoric since the attack, and over the weekend wrote: “Iran is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets as revenge for our ridding the world of their terrorist leader who had just killed an American, & badly wounded many others, not to mention all of the people he had killed over his lifetime, including recently hundreds of Iranian protesters.
“He was already attacking our Embassy, and preparing for additional hits in other locations. Iran has been nothing but problems for many years.
The UK urged Iraq to allow British forces to remain to continue the fight against ISIS (Image: GETTY)
“Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have targeted 52 Iranian sites (representing the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago), some at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture, and those targets, and Iran itself, WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD. The USA wants no more threats!”
On Sunday, he added: “The United States just spent Two Trillion Dollars on Military Equipment. We are the biggest and by far the BEST in the World!
“If Iran attacks an American Base, or any American, we will be sending some of that brand new beautiful equipment their way…and without hesitation!”
Thousands of people took to the streets in Iran in anger following Soleimani’s death after the US airstrike on Friday.
On Sunday, Iranian Labour News Agency claimed Iranian MP Abolfazl Abutorabi warned the country could respond on US soil.
He said: “We can attack the White House itself, we can respond to them on the American soil. We have the power, and God willing we will respond in an appropriate time.”
On Sunday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Iran’s General Qassem Soleimani was “a threat to all our interests” and said “we will not lament his death”, as he called for de-escalation from all sides.