Iraq wants US forces out of Mosul on time
BAGHDAD — Iraq wants American troops to withdraw from urban areas and only return with government approval, a defense ministry spokesman said Monday, casting doubt about whether the U.S. can maintain troops in certain trouble spots even as they withdraw elsewhere.
Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Mohammed al-Askari said that the ministry’s position is still that U.S. troops must leave by the agreed deadline despite some calls for them to remain in northern city of Mosul and Diyala province.
U.S. and Iraqi commanders will make recommendations to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who will decide whether to grant exceptions to a security pact requiring U.S. troops to leave Iraq’s major cities by June 30.
“The general position of the Iraq Defense Ministry is to keep the timings in the withdrawal pact that American troops withdraw from Iraqi cities and not enter the cities unless they get Iraqi approval,” al-Askari said.
Under a U.S.-Iraqi security pact that took effect Jan. 1, American troops will leave the country entirely by the end of 2011. President Barack Obama has announced plans to withdraw combat troops by Aug. 31, 2010, leaving a contingency force of 30,000 to 50,000 troops in advisory and training capacities.
Violence in Iraq remains at some of the lowest levels since the months following the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. But a series of high-profile suicide bombings in recent weeks, have killed hundreds and wounded hundreds more.
The attacks have also brought into question the ability of Iraq’s security forces as they take over from U.S. troops.
Gen. Raymond Odierno, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, has not specifically said whether U.S. troops would leave by the deadline, but said that any exception would have to be made by al-Maliki.
But American commanders have said if there are exceptions, the northern city of Mosul would be a priority. The city is considered one of the last bases of Sunni insurgents.
The main U.S. operation in Mosul is effectively on the outskirts of the city. It is unclear, though, if like Baghdad’s Camp Victory — U.S. military headquarters — it will be considered outside the city limits.
Another possibility where exceptions might be considered is in the Diyala province, where American troops in Baqouba are still battling insurgents.
But al-Askari said there was adequate security in Mosul, adding there were two Iraqi army divisions.
“If we need the support of American troops, we will recall them with Iraqi governmental approval,” he said.
Associated Press Writer Chelsea J. Carter contributed to this report.
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