Iraq Parliament Passes Resolution, Says No To Foreign Troops

On Sunday, Iraq’s Parliament passes a resolution asking the government to remove foreign troops in the country after the US airstrike kills one of the top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. The resolution calls Iraq’s government to cancel the previous request made for assistance from the US-led coalition operating in the country to fight ISIS.

The resolution read that the government will revoke the assistance from international coalition that is trying to fight ISIS as there is an end of military operation along with victory. It also said the government must prohibit foreign troops from using the country’s land, airspace and water for any reason.

Abdul Mahdi told the parliament that though the country might face some difficulties, whether internal or external, this option is the most practical option for Iraq. Iraq’s parliament held an extraordinary session so that the lawmakers would use to vote on the resolution to end the presence of foreign troops. He also claims the deaths of Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis as political assassinations.

The request for the resolution was put forward on Sunday by Fatah which is that largest bloc in the legislature. Many Sunni and Kurdish legislatures were absent from the session as they oppose the resolution and the removal of foreign coalition troops. Hence, 180 legislatures of the 329 members were present in the parliament.

This coalition of foreign troops included troops from the USA, the UK and others. Around 6,000 US troops and 400 UK troops are based in Iraq with the only objective to fight ISIS. This resolution has led to a seize in their operations.

After the Iranian military commander, Qassem Soleimani died in a US airstrike, many of the Shiite militias were enraged. Baghdad government has further accused Washington of violating Iraq’s sovereignty.

On the other side, the Pentagon seemed to be shocked about Trump’s decision to kill Soleimani as they thought the “President was not serious about it.” As the attack was launched without consultation with US allies, many of them including the UK are abandoning Trump on the issue.