In an extraordinary parliamentary session, Iraq parliament members voted in favor of a resolution that calls for ending presence of US military forces in the country. The resolution’s main aim is to get the US to withdraw some 5,000 US troops present in different parts of Iraq.

The vote comes two days after a US airstrike killed Iranian Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani in Iraq, dramatically increasing regional tensions.

The Iraqi resolution specifically calls for ending an agreement in which Washington sent troops to Iraq more than four years ago to help in the fight against the Daesh terrorist group.

The Iraqi lawmakers, citing Articles 59 and 109 of the Constitution, in line with their national and regulatory responsibilities as representatives to safeguard the security and sovereignty of Iraq, had earlier signed a four-point bill as follows:

Firstly, the central government in Baghdad is obliged to cancel its request to the US-led military coalition, which was purportedly fighting Daesh terrorists on the ground, now that military operations have ended in the country, and victory over Daesh has been achieved. The Iraqi government should, therefore, put an end to the presence of any foreign troops and prevent the use of Iraqi airspace.

Secondly, the government and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces must announce the number of foreign trainers they need, along with their locations, responsibilities, and duration of their contracts.

Thirdly, the Iraqi foreign minister, on behalf of the government, must turn to the United Nations Security Council to file a complaint against the United States for violations of Iraqi sovereignty and security.

Fourthly, the Iraqi government has been required to conduct a thorough investigation into the recent US airstrike in Baghdad and inform parliament of its results within seven days of the date of approval of this bill.

Finally, the plan comes into force once it obtains parliamentary approval.

Earlier in the day, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had said, “The end of the malign US presence in West Asia has begun” as the US president’s ramped-up rhetoric against Iran followed the US assassination of the top Iranian general in Iraq.

The post Iraq parliament votes to expel US forces appeared first on Iran News Daily.

TEHRAN (Iran News) – Iran has vehemently condemned the Sunday US forces attacks against Iraqi Popular Mobilization forces, describing the act as a clear act of terrorism.

The post US attacks on Iraqi forces as ‘clear example of terrorism’ appeared first on Iran News Daily.