06:21Iraqis reacted to reports that the US military mission was set to end by September 2025 - but that some troops would stay - in Baghdad on Tuesday.
“The truth is that the United States of America is the enemy of the people,” claimed Anwar al-Musawi, a local. “The US is deceitful; it currently has more than 35 military bases in the region for various reasons…We believe the US withdrawal will be very slow and under false pretexts."
On Friday, Washington confirmed that the coalition mission would conclude by this time next year, but officials stated that it was 'not a withdrawal' but a 'transition' to a US-Iraqi bilateral security relationship'.
“Their presence is to gather intelligence and hinder Iraq from making developments," alleged Tariq Samie. "They seek to divide Iraq's nationalities. They don't want a unified Iraq.”
Footage also shows Iraqi citizens walking on the streets and cars driving near the Freedom Monument in Tahrir Square.
"They (the US) use flimsy excuses such as ISIS and others to stay and increase the number of their troops under the pretext of training and counselling. The US presence is not in the interest of Iraq," added Saleh Shabouh.
However, Mousa Jaafar said he was against any pullout, claiming the current government would 'further oppress' the citizens.
"The US has 3 bases in Iraq and Germany has more than 40 bases….Their presence here could prevent terrorism from entering Iraq," he said.
Following the announcement by Washington, it was not clear initially clear how many of the 2,500 US troops currently stationed in Iraq would leave.
In 2003, the US, along with coalition forces, launched a military offensive in Iraq that toppled Saddam Hussein under the pretext of disarming Iraq’s suspected weapons of mass destruction. None were subsequently found.
Around 200,000 civilians were killed according to the Iraq Body Count project, although there are other estimations both above and below that figure.
The US officially withdrew its troops from Iraq by December 2011, but thousands remained as part of security operations or serving as private military contractors. The aftermath of the intervention in the country triggered widespread violence and was linked to the rise of the Islamic State (IS).
'Not in the interests of Iraq... but they'll find a way to stay!' - Iraqis react as US confirms mission will end but troops will remain
Iraqis reacted to reports that the US military mission was set to end by September 2025 - but that some troops would stay - in Baghdad on Tuesday.
“The truth is that the United States of America is the enemy of the people,” claimed Anwar al-Musawi, a local. “The US is deceitful; it currently has more than 35 military bases in the region for various reasons…We believe the US withdrawal will be very slow and under false pretexts."
On Friday, Washington confirmed that the coalition mission would conclude by this time next year, but officials stated that it was 'not a withdrawal' but a 'transition' to a US-Iraqi bilateral security relationship'.
“Their presence is to gather intelligence and hinder Iraq from making developments," alleged Tariq Samie. "They seek to divide Iraq's nationalities. They don't want a unified Iraq.”
Footage also shows Iraqi citizens walking on the streets and cars driving near the Freedom Monument in Tahrir Square.
"They (the US) use flimsy excuses such as ISIS and others to stay and increase the number of their troops under the pretext of training and counselling. The US presence is not in the interest of Iraq," added Saleh Shabouh.
However, Mousa Jaafar said he was against any pullout, claiming the current government would 'further oppress' the citizens.
"The US has 3 bases in Iraq and Germany has more than 40 bases….Their presence here could prevent terrorism from entering Iraq," he said.
Following the announcement by Washington, it was not clear initially clear how many of the 2,500 US troops currently stationed in Iraq would leave.
In 2003, the US, along with coalition forces, launched a military offensive in Iraq that toppled Saddam Hussein under the pretext of disarming Iraq’s suspected weapons of mass destruction. None were subsequently found.
Around 200,000 civilians were killed according to the Iraq Body Count project, although there are other estimations both above and below that figure.
The US officially withdrew its troops from Iraq by December 2011, but thousands remained as part of security operations or serving as private military contractors. The aftermath of the intervention in the country triggered widespread violence and was linked to the rise of the Islamic State (IS).
Iraqis reacted to reports that the US military mission was set to end by September 2025 - but that some troops would stay - in Baghdad on Tuesday.
“The truth is that the United States of America is the enemy of the people,” claimed Anwar al-Musawi, a local. “The US is deceitful; it currently has more than 35 military bases in the region for various reasons…We believe the US withdrawal will be very slow and under false pretexts."
On Friday, Washington confirmed that the coalition mission would conclude by this time next year, but officials stated that it was 'not a withdrawal' but a 'transition' to a US-Iraqi bilateral security relationship'.
“Their presence is to gather intelligence and hinder Iraq from making developments," alleged Tariq Samie. "They seek to divide Iraq's nationalities. They don't want a unified Iraq.”
Footage also shows Iraqi citizens walking on the streets and cars driving near the Freedom Monument in Tahrir Square.
"They (the US) use flimsy excuses such as ISIS and others to stay and increase the number of their troops under the pretext of training and counselling. The US presence is not in the interest of Iraq," added Saleh Shabouh.
However, Mousa Jaafar said he was against any pullout, claiming the current government would 'further oppress' the citizens.
"The US has 3 bases in Iraq and Germany has more than 40 bases….Their presence here could prevent terrorism from entering Iraq," he said.
Following the announcement by Washington, it was not clear initially clear how many of the 2,500 US troops currently stationed in Iraq would leave.
In 2003, the US, along with coalition forces, launched a military offensive in Iraq that toppled Saddam Hussein under the pretext of disarming Iraq’s suspected weapons of mass destruction. None were subsequently found.
Around 200,000 civilians were killed according to the Iraq Body Count project, although there are other estimations both above and below that figure.
The US officially withdrew its troops from Iraq by December 2011, but thousands remained as part of security operations or serving as private military contractors. The aftermath of the intervention in the country triggered widespread violence and was linked to the rise of the Islamic State (IS).