This is an entry from: Live updates: US-Iran tensions after Qassem Soleimani's killing
US says American troops staying in Iraq after Baghdad urges withdrawal plan
10 January 2020 22:54 GMT
American troops will not be leaving Iraq, the US State Department announced on Thursday, hours after Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said he informed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that US forces should start working on a withdrawal plan.
"America is a force for good in the Middle East," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement on Thursday.
"Our military presence in Iraq is to continue the fight against ISIS [Islamic State (IS) group] and as the Secretary has said, we are committed to protecting Americans, Iraqis, and our coalition partners."