Defense sec says US troops are NOT withdrawing from Iraq after ‘poorly worded’ draft memo is sent out ‘by accident’

THE US military is NOT withdrawing its troops from Iraq, officials said after a draft memo announcing a “pullout” was accidentally sent out.

The confusion comes just one day after the Iraqi parliament voted to expel US troops from the Middle Eastern nation.

Earlier today a letter addressed to Abdul Amir, deputy commander of Iraq Joint Operations Command, said that America will be “repositioning forces over the course of the coming days and weeks” as requested.

Defense chiefs quickly came out saying that US troops were not leaving the country, and that the letter was a draft and was not meant to be published.

When asked by reporters, Defense Secretary Mark Esper told Pentagon said: "There's been no decision whatsoever to leave Iraq.

"I don't know what that letter is. We're trying to find out where that's coming from, what that is.

"But there's been no decision made to leave Iraq. Period."

General Mark A. Milley told reporters after looking at the letter: "It was a mistake.

"Poorly worded, implies withdrawal. That's not what's happening,"

He clarified it was a draft and had not been signed.

'IT'S A KERFUFFLE'

Milley said the United States wanted to explain to the Iraqi military that there had been increased movement of aircraft, including transporting forces between bases in Iraq and also moving them into Iraq from Kuwait.

Milley said: "It (the draft letter) was sent over to some key Iraqi military guys in order to get things coordinated for air movements, etc.

"Then it went from that guy's hands to another guy's hands and then it went to your hands. Now it's a kerfuffle."

He added that the unsigned draft document was sent around to get input from Iraqi officials, which is something he says he does regularly.

He said: "I send drafts all over Washington D.C. that aren't signed to get people's input and feedback."

"The long and short of it is: It's an honest mistake by people trying to do the right things in highly dynamic situations, etc. It should not have been sent."

The draft letter had read: "In order to conduct this task, Coalition Forces are required to take certain measures to ensure that the movement out of Iraq is conducted in a safe and efficient manner."

The letter concludes: "As we begin implementing this next phase of operations, I want to reiterate the value of our friendship and partnernship. We respect your sovereign decision to order our departure."

The US has about 5,000 troops in Iraq.

The drama comes as tensions grow between the U.S. and both Iraq and Iran because of the targeted death of Gen. Qasem Soleimani, 62.

The Iranian official was killed on Friday at the Baghdad International Airport after Donald Trump ordered an airstrike against him.

The Trump administration was criticized for the move by Democrats, which Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said was necessary, claiming Soleimani was plotting imminent attacks on Americans.

In response to the Iraqi parliament’s vote to expel U.S. troops, Trump threatened to demand billions of dollars in compensation from Iraq for military investments made there throughout the years.

Or, Trump said, he would impose “sanctions like they’ve never seen before” against the Middle Eastern nation.

The president also threatened to target Iranian cultural sites, which rattled some of his own administration officials, as it could be a war crime.

Such military action would likely be illegal under the laws of armed conflict and the United Nations charter.

A senior adviser to Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned that American forces are risking a bloody and unsuccessful stay in the Middle East.

Ali Akbar Velayati said: "Americans took a foolish move by assassinating him and they must leave the region.

"If they do not leave the region, they will face another Vietnam."

Because of the tense situation, Britain has started pulling staff out of its embassies in Iran and Iraq as a precautionary measure. The respective ambassadors, however, will stay in place.

Soleimani’s death at the hands of the U.S. has sparked outrage in the Middle East, including Iraq, where more than 5,000 Americans troops remain — 17 years after the U.S. invasion.

He was considered to be one of the most powerful figures in the country, masterminding Iranian intelligence and military operations abroad.

Outside of war-games he was considered to be even more pivotal, with commentators comparing his role to that of U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and is thought to have directly reported to Iran's supreme leader.

Iran has vowed to retaliate for Soleimani’s death, and during his funeral, Iranian state TV announced a bounty on Trump’s head worth $80million.

“Iran has 80 million inhabitants. Based on the Iranian population, we want to raise $80million (£61million) which is a reward for those who get close to the head of President Trump,” the announcement said.

Iran also vowed to ramp up its nukes program as it tonight pulled out of its 2015 nuclear deal.