Hilarious! US Tells Iraq Leaving Base Is a “Red Line”

Told to leave the US acts as if it were the sovereign power over Ayn al-Asad rather than Iraq

You would think telling a foreign power to leave your soil only to be given a list of places it refuses to leave would be the red line

The US military has offered senior Iraqi security officials plans for a partial pullback of troops from Iraq in response to January’s parliamentary vote calling for foreign forces to leave the country, Middle East Eye can reveal.

A meeting between the two sides, held in great secrecy last week, heard that Washington was prepared “in principle” to discuss withdrawal.

A representative of the US military told the Iraqis present that the United States was prepared to leave positions in or near Shia-majority areas, such as Balad Air Base, which is located 80km north of Baghdad and houses US trainers and contractors.

Washington, the Iraqis were told, could even consider reducing its presence in Baghdad.

“We are prepared to leave some of the Shia-majority areas, like the base in Balad. Maybe we could reduce our presence in Baghdad,” the military representative told his Iraqi counterparts, who understood from this that the US presence in the Iraqi capital would be reduced to guarding its embassy and the airport.

However, the US side categorically ruled out withdrawing from their biggest air base in Iraq, and the indeed the whole Middle East, Ain al-Assad. 

The Anbar province base came under ballistic missile fire from Iran last month, in response to the US killing of the top Iranian commander, Major-General Qassem Soleimani, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy head of the Hashd al-Shaabi paramilitary forces, at Baghdad airport.

For the US side, Ain al-Assad was its “red line”.

The representative said: “We cannot even start talking about withdrawing [from that base]. Withdrawal is out of the question.”

Such was the sensitivity of these discussions that they were held well away from Iraq. The meeting took place in the private residence of the Canadian ambassador to Jordan in Amman, Middle East Eye was told.

Present at the meeting was a representative of the US military, a Nato official and a senior Iraqi security adviser.

Source: The Middle East Eye

51 Comments
  1. […] Read further at Anti-Empire […]

  2. Richard Seeto says

    Can one really believe that not a few days ago that the US rolly polly roving Ambassador and Prophet of False news and false information, Pompeo who declared at the Munich Security Conference that the “West Is Winning” Against Russia, China, and It’s Because It Respects Sovereignty So Much. This matters because assaults on sovereignty destabilize. Assaults on sovereignty impoverish. Assaults on sovereignty enslave. Assaults on sovereignty are, indeed, assaults on the very freedom that anchors the Western ideal.

    Well, what he meant is that by West, he meant the US.

    Well, can one believe after this speech that the US will not leave sovereign Iraq after it was asked to leave the country completely?

    What kind of games is the US hegemon playing?

    Can anyone really believe in its words any longer?

    MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL WHERE HAS ALL THE US CREDIBILITY GONE?

    Indeed like its popular song, Where has all the flowers (metaphor here for soldiers) gone?

  3. tapatio says

    The nations of the Middle East need to insure that NO uniformed American can sit down in a restaurant or buy a Coke or even stick their nose out of their bunker in safety.

    The US has become an outlaw state on a par with its Jewish masters in Palestine and must be treated as such.

  4. Brion Adair says

    It’s like a bunch of unwelcome home invaders who have illegally broken into your house now making demands how on long they plan to stay.

  5. Frank Williams says

    You’d think a bunch of sand negros with plastic box cutters and walkie-talkies who outsmarted the entire US military defense forces during 911, could surely boot the jUS pinky-phagot soldiers outta THEIR sand box, eh?

    1. XRGRSF says

      Given time the U$ will be booted out. The U$ has been around for 200 years while Baghdad, and Damascus have been a cities for over 3,000 years. Time is on the side of the Arabs.

      1. Joseph Jojo says

        Always has been.Many civilisations have marched through Iraq. Where are they now?.

        1. XRGRSF says

          Excellent point !

  6. John Rourke says

    I’m surprised the US argument wasn’t that they can’t leave Iraq until they defeated ISIS entirely.

    1. DinoN says

      @John Rourke. Are you out of your mind! ISIS is owned by the Americans.

      1. John Rourke says

        I didn’t say it was my argument..I said the US.

  7. jm74 says

    Iraq needs to take it to the UN and put them on the spot; demand that the UN acts and enforces the UN Charter. US is out to destroy International Law and the UN Charter but there 193 UN members who should have a say regarding sovereignty.

    1. Robert Mcconnell says

      That’s really funny!

      1. jm74 says

        I find it amusing myself! Can you imagine that happening and the other 190 members deciding to either leave the UN or throw the US/UK out of the UNSC. All rather humorous if it wasn’t so tragic.

  8. Vera Gottlieb says

    Yeah…hilarious…if it weren’t so sad, so despicable, so contemptible. What an odious nation the US has turned into.

    1. XRGRSF says

      You haven’t seen anything yet; wait until the U$ turns on itself.

      1. Vera Gottlieb says

        Hasn’t turning on itself already started?

  9. CHUCKMAN says

    Response to jm74 put as separate comment in error:

    They could try.

    But the US would make Iraq pay for the effort, in one way or another. It has its fingers into many sensitive matters.

    And in recent years, the US has hobbled the UN.

    It still owes the UN a billion in back dues. Besides doing things like leaving UNESCO.

    It also quietly threatens each state’s foreign aid when it comes to votes it cares about.

    And, in the end, the UN cannot enforce its decisions.

    Where UN decisions are enforced it always involves matters the US agrees about and it participates in the enforcement.

    So, when the US wants to act like a bully – which is all the time now – there’s no one to stop them.

    1. RedBaron9495 says

      Russia and China can veto most U.S attempts in the UNSC

    2. Robert Mcconnell says

      I think beating up American tourists and back packers is a fair thing, given the current circumstances. A message needs to be sent, from the bottom up.

      1. Joseph Jojo says

        No such thing.The resistance,even Iran will NOT hit civilians but military personnel. Uniform against uniform.

        1. Robert Mcconnell says

          Nah, anything goes at this stage.

    3. JNDillard says

      Agreed. The only option is to make them pay a high price, such as the shelling of the US “Green Zone” in Bagdad last night. No one was killed, but remaining there becomes more and more untenable. Same with all bases in Iraq.

      1. thomas malthaus says

        One or two high ranking US generals would have to go down before the Pentagon’s core is shaken.

        That doesn’t mean a US troop withdrawal. It may mean a consciousness-lowering event at hand. Don’t ask me to explain that. Far above my paygrade.

        1. Mary E says

          Unfortunately, the CIA is the entity in charge – and it will not
          budge. Afghanistan produces too much poppy money for its dark
          activities – and Iraq is a convenient base of operations for the US military…they are daring those countries to get rid of them…but
          there are no plans in the near future to even think about getting lost.

          1. Joseph Jojo says

            Boy are you out of touch.Keep listening to your media.THEY ARE GOING OUT OF THE REGION.No NATO or Israel.No US.All going.Wait and see the blows coming their way. The US base was nothing in comparison to the Tsunami coming their way.

      2. Mary E says

        Whatever it takes….it is past time that Iraq shed itself of the US and its military. They are the occupying force and act as if Iraq is their game board…outlandish hegemonic delusions have overtaken the US.

        1. Joseph Jojo says

          Tbing is they have bought most of the Sunni politicians and the Kurds so Iraq cannot unite.But the resistance is going for ALL US and Western forces in Iraq and the region.

      3. Joseph Jojo says

        They are going ‘horizontally’ i.e DEAD.

  10. Rowdy-Yates says

    That is because America is led by a White Zionist Protestant Racist.

    1. tapatio says

      LOL, LOL!!! The orange troglodyte is whatever flavor of “-ist” pays him/it the most.

      1. Rowdy-Yates says

        It is deeper than that. Trump arranged the marriage of Ivanka to the Kushner family because Jerard Kushner’s father was a central figure in the NY Port authority.
        Nothing can be done in NY and New Jersey real estate without the support of the NY Port authority who can bring to a halt any real estate construction.
        Sheldon Adelson, the ADL and the AIPAC strongly support Trump.

        1. tapatio says

          True…….Trump’s son-in-law was profitable for Trump and almost certainly too weak to oppose whatever Donald might want. Jered makes a good errand-boy.

    2. XRGRSF says

      Michael, the U$ gets its orders from Israeli Jewish racists, and if you haven’t figured that out you’re having real issues with reality.

      1. Rowdy-Yates says

        That is why Trump is Israel’s Golden boy. He is the best thing to happen to Israel. A zionist is a wannabe Jew and they are the worst because in their zealotry to prove themselves their policies become obsessive and dangerous

        1. XRGRSF says

          EXACTLY, and sorry that I misunderstood your first post.

          1. Rowdy-Yates says

            That’s fine. Probably you did not know what “Zionist” meant. Most people don’t. That was the European movement to create Israel and they were and are the most zealous of all Jews and “Judeizers” (those who are Christians who defend everything Jewish). They often work with Free Masons who are also very powerful.

            The Zionists are extremely powerful and include the Rothschild. The Balfour Declaration of 1917 was written to Lord Rothschild and the Zionists as the letter states. That delcaration had a lot to do with how world war One ended including the Sykes/Picot agreement of 1916 where England and France drew the modern lines of ME, divided up the oil wealth between them and America, laid the groundwork for the future state of Israel and by that set into motion the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.

            It was during this time that England placed the Saudi Family in control of Arabia.
            The movement began in the 19th century but its roots go back to Sabbatai Zevi the 16th century false Jewish Messiah.

        2. tapatio says

          “Zionist” is just the modern name for a malignant cancer that has been metastasizing among human societies for more than 3000 years.
          There are valid reasons that the Jews have been expelled from more than 100 countries. Their cult is toxic to humanity.

          1. Rowdy-Yates says

            Probably but Jews got along fine in Asia. it was in Europe that the chasm too place. It has a lot to do with the interrelationship between Christianity and Judaism or what is left of it after Rome obliterated it.

            1. tapatio says

              Judaism’s ‘problems’ aren’t just with Christianity. Egypt wasn’t Christian when the Jews were driven out 3200 years ago. Roman Palestine wasn’t Christian when they were driven out in 135CE.

              The philosophy of the majority of Jews is thousands of years old and has been codified in the Talmud – their “book of laws”. That phililosophy is both parasitic and predatory and, in practice, is little different from the clinical definition of sociopathy…………….

              Profile of the Sociopath

              • Glibness and Superficial Charm
              • Manipulative and Conning
              They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.
              • Grandiose Sense of Self
              Feels entitled to certain things as “their right.”
              • Pathological Lying
              Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.
              • Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
              A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.
              • Shallow Emotions
              When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.
              • Incapacity for Love
              • Need for Stimulation
              Living on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal. Promiscuity and gambling are common.
              • Callousness/Lack of Empathy
              Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others’ feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them.
              • Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
              Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.
              • Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
              Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet “gets by” by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.
              • Irresponsibility/Unreliability
              Not concerned about wrecking others’ lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed.
              • Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
              Promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts.
              • Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
              Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future, poor work ethic but exploits others effectively.
              • Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
              Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution. Changes life story readily.

              Other Related Qualities:
              1. Contemptuous of those who seek to understand them
              2. Does not perceive that anything is wrong with them
              3. Authoritarian
              4. Secretive
              5. Paranoid
              6. Only rarely in difficulty with the law, but seeks out situations where their tyrannical behavior will be tolerated, condoned, or admired
              7. Conventional appearance
              8. Goal of enslavement of their victim(s)
              9. Exercises despotic control over every aspect of the victim’s life
              10. Has an emotional need to justify their crimes and therefore needs their victim’s affirmation (respect, gratitude and love)
              11. Ultimate goal is the creation of a willing victim
              12. Incapable of real human attachment to another
              13. Unable to feel remorse or guilt
              14. Extreme narcissism and grandiose
              15. May state readily that their goal is to rule the world

            2. Rowdy-Yates says

              the “wailing wall” is a remnant of the Roman fort Antonia that stood in Jerusalem when the Temple was destroyed. The 10th garrison was stationed in that fort to keep order.
              What the Rabbis do in front of that wall (the rocking back and forth) comes from the Kaballa and it is a Kabbalistic ritual of copulating with an ancient God.
              “the rabbis thrust their pelvises and penises back and forth in a prescribed prayer movement called “davening” in which the Jew copulates with the ‘Shekinah’ in order to give birth to an erotic union with the ‘Ein Soph,’ the Kabbalistic masculine emanation of their god.”

            3. tapatio says

              Gee, thank you. I’m about to have dinner with the image of a bunch of malodorous old grey-beards boning the wall of a Roman fort.

              The more I learn about the traditions of that cult the more disgusted I become.

              Thanks for the additional information about the fort. It’s something I will never see – there is nothing that would induce me to be under Jewish jurisdiction.

            4. Rowdy-Yates says

              there is nothing that would induce me to be under Jewish jurisdiction.
              If you live in America or England you are under Jewish jurisdiction.
              Now you know exactly what they are thinking when they start rockin. I used to believe that back and forth movement was a sign of penitence and sorrow. Could you even imagine the shock I experienced when I learned of its true meaning?
              there is a youtube of a young Jewish boy showing absolute shock when he was being taught about it. Hope matza balls are not on your menu tonight.

            5. tapatio says

              I never even eat bagels, let alone other Jewish foods. The difference being that here (US) I don’t have to deal with the creatures. We don’t owe a cent, even our house is paid off. We bank at a credit union for state employees (retired in my case) and the only overtly Jewish merchant closed a few years ago.

              Our regional BDS group has over 100 Jewish members and those I’ve met seem sincere. One is a rabbi who attended yeshiva in Palestine.

            6. Rowdy-Yates says

              The difference between the old dead faiths and Christianity centered on Jesus Christ. Unlike Egypt, Assyria (King Nebuchadnezzar who destroyed King Solomon’s temple, confiscated the arc and enslaved the Jews in Babylon) is that Christ claimed to be the incarnation of Yahweh.

              Christ is God. He and Yahweh make the Holy Trinity. Jews deny this. When we put the sign of the cross that is acknowledging the holy trinity.

              Christianity is not a continuation of Judaism. it replaces it. Jews were meant to worship Yahweh in the form of Christ. Due to that they rejected Christ as charlatan the New Testament, the word of Christ, as false. The Talmud condemns Christ to burn in H*ll in a vat of excrement, and that Mary was a prostitute. The Talmud rejects every aspect of Christianity from the Holy family, the apostles, the martyrs, the saints, the miracles as false. They deny the resurrection, the holy communion, the holy sacraments, the Holy incarnation, the Immaculate conception as false.
              When the Romans obliterated the 2nd Temple in 70 AD they also killed the Levite Priests and burned their records. Without these priests the covenant of the sacrifice cannot be done and old Judaism died like the way Zoroastrianism died. it died like the way the faith of ancient Egypt did
              Even the famous Jewish Philosopher Maimonides of the 12th century admitted that there are no Levite Priests to conduct the Sacrifice.
              The holy communion was the new covenant and replaced the old covenant of the sacrifice.
              Nothing remains of the Temple and Christ (who is the incarnation of Yahweh) prophesied on that Palm Sunday in 33 AD that the Temple will be destroyed. In 70 AD it was.
              What came up in Europe centered around the Talmud and the Synagogue is a place of learning not worship. Emperor Titus gave permission for the Jews to construct the Synagogues (Greek word). The Babylonian Talmud is the only book that specifically attacks Christianity and Christians
              In 1240 AD under Pope Gregory the 14th. The Disputation of Paris was held where 35 charges of blasphemy was brought against the Talmud by Nicholas Donin and defended by 4 of Europe’s most prominent Rabbis.
              After the trial European cities burned the Talmud.
              That is why the tension between Christianity and the Talmudic Jews is so intense.

            7. tapatio says

              To me, the tension between humanity and Talmudic Jews (including the Zionists who deny God, but claim that He gave them the Levant) is caused by a tribe that has been expelled from more than 100 countries and 350+ communities for the same crimes and offenses that we see that tribe committing today.

              There are decent civilized Jews – they are well under 35% of the total Jewish population of our world. The balance are part of a cultural cancer that is malignant and metastatic and must be cured as any other cancer is cured.

            8. Rowdy-Yates says

              a tribe that has been expelled from more than 100 countries and 350+ communities for the same crimes and offenses that we see that tribe committing today.

              To repeat the same action which gets one in trouble is far worse than repeating the same mistake. They followed a dogma of usury knowing the terrible outcome. Shakespeare’s image of Shylock in the “Merchant of Venice” and Christopher Marlow’s character Barabas in “the Jew of Malta” captures that repetitive masochistic behavior. that is NOT a sign of intelligence.

            9. tapatio says

              That is true.

            10. tapatio says

              Thanks, too, for this information. I have my own delusional system (which I’m sure is as far from God’s reality as those of other people) …….Christian, with Mohammad and the Buddha as saints/secondary prophets.

              I read the Torah/Old Testament once and decided that it wasn’t worth rereading. In fact our bibles at home are only New Testaments.

              I agree that Jesus and Mohammad intended to replace the corrupt old system. And, since Christians and Muslims comprise the majority of the human population of our world, they seem to have succeeded fairly well – in theory, at least. Though, as Gandhi said, “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ.”

            11. Rowdy-Yates says

              I liked Charleston Heston and the Ten commandments. Great movie. Hollywod is exactly where the Torah belongs except with hammy actors. Charleston Heston did a better job than the real Moses and Egypt looked great!
              Mohammed never was meant to replace but Christ was meant to replace Yahweh and the old faith. That is his words.

            12. Rowdy-Yates says

              Oh Yes and the Mahatma who tried so hard to truly know his culture and failed spectacularly. However I agree with what he said about Christianity and Christians. The faith is better than the faithful

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