The majority of the 180 legislators in Parliament voted in favor of the resolution to kick US troops out of Iraq.
What We Know:
- This vote happened two days after a U.S. drone strike killed Iranian General Qassim Soleimani at the Baghdad airport. This could possibly be the cause of the expulsion, according to Fox.
- Iraq and the US had an agreement that allowed American troops to enter the country to fight off ISIS. Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halboosi stated: “The Iraqi government has an obligation to end the presence of all foreign forces on Iraqi soil and prevent it from using Iraqi lands, waters, and airspace or any other reason.”
- Most Shiite members of parliament supported the measure and they have the majority of seats. Sunni and Kurdish politicians did not show up for the vote due to opposing this call. The vote doesn’t mean troops need to leave immediately, it’s more symbolic than anything else. Iraq prime minister has the power to decide this.
- The leaders of Iranian supported militia groups in Iraq have called for revenge over the death. There are around 100,000 militia troops in Iraq.
The US currently has 5,000 troops in Iraq to prevent any possible terrorist movements.
