The United States intends to request from NATO to increase its military presence in Iraq, TASS reports, statement of Defense Minister James Mattis.
According to the minister, US administration wants, to its allies to play a greater role in the Middle East. The plan to increase the military contingent of the alliance will be presented at a meeting of defense ministers of NATO countries, which will be held in Brussels in June.
Mattis said, what, based on the current situation, The Pentagon has decided to switch from fighting the IG group (banned in Russia) to "multinational program to assist" the Iraqi armed forces.
he explained, that we are talking about military advisers and instructors to train the Iraqi military.
The minister did not specify, about how many NATO troops in question.
Currently in Iraq there are more than 5 thousand US military. The White House announced plans to reduce the number. Remaining, apparently, and they will be involved in the "program to assist".
Recall, in March, the Iraqi Parliament has demanded the complete withdrawal of foreign forces from the territory of the country. They called on the government to "formally and definitively determine the maximum possible term" foreign military. Later, Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said, Baghdad under no circumstances will not allow the Americans to establish permanent bases on its soil, and any such attempts would be regarded as violation of the sovereignty.
But NATO allies, looks like, such statements are a little worried. As recently stated NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, "We are here because, Iraq wants, that we were here, we are not without consent and invitation from Iraq ".
