Iraq's Defense Ministry again
denied the presence of US military bases in Iraq, affirming that Iraqi security
authorities have always affirmed they are able to secure the Iraqi people and
borders.
Defense Ministry
spokesman Major General Tahsin al-Khafaji also denied earlier reports claiming
that some Syrian-based US troops have moved to inside the Iraqi territory.
The spokesman pointed to
the presence of high-level coordination with the American side between the US-led
global coalition fighting ISIS and the leadership of joint operations.
Abdul Mahdi claimed in December that there are no
"pure" US military bases in the country.
This came during a press conference held after a
governmental meeting in Baghdad, as major Shiite political forces and IMIS
factions called for ending the US military presence in the country and the
closure of US bases.
Denying Prime Minster Adil Abdul Mahdi's claims, the Anbar
Provincial Council affirmed the presence of pure US bases in Iraq, as most of
the US bases deployed in Anbar are free of Iraqi forces.
The council reported
that about 50 US military trucks headed from Kuwait to Ayn al-Assad base west
of the province without permission.
Abdul Mahdi also denied that his country received a
request from the US to send troops to Syria to replace US forces after its
withdrawal, considering, however, that "all possibilities are in place.
