Will US keep military bases in Iraq after IS?
The subject of whether US troops should remain in Iraq once the Islamic State (IS) is defeated in Mosul is raising questions and fueling controversy among Iraqis.
On March 26, the Iraqi government officially announced it favors the idea of some US forces staying. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said in a Fox News interview that he supports retaining enough US troops to support Iraqi forces in a post-IS Iraq.
“We are concentrating on training, logistical support, and intelligence cooperation and gathering; these are three important elements for which I think we need some US troops to stay in Iraq to continue the task,” he stated.
It appears that parliament’s Security and Defense Committee has information that work has already begun on some US bases. Committee member Majid al-Gharawi told Al-Monitor, “The US troops, present in Iraq in rising numbers each day, are meant to stay in Iraq.” Gharawi, a political representative of the Sadrist movement, not surprisingly opposes the idea. “American forces in Iraq will be met by resistance at the hand of Iraqis. Any foreign military presence on Iraqi soil will not be tolerated,” he said.
Jaafar al-Moussawi, the spokesperson for Sadrist movement leader Muqtada al-Sadr, concurred. He said, “Any continued presence of foreign forces in Iraq, whether they are American or not, without agreement by the Iraqi parliament is considered an occupation. Hence, it will face resistance by the Sadrist movement or the rest of Iraqis, as the movement’s stance on a US presence hasn’t changed.”
Before his interview on Fox, Abadi wrote a piece in The Washington Post March 23 saying he had met with US President Donald Trump earlier in the week. “My country needs more help from the US,” he wrote. “President Trump and I discussed how to build upon the Strategic Framework Agreement our two countries signed in 2008.”
Trump hinted March 20 that he intends to keep US forces in Iraq even once IS is gone. When asked whether the United States should withdraw from Iraq, he told journalists, “We should never have left.”
A thousand US troops — and more from the international coalition — are based in Qayyara military air base near Mosul. There are indications these troops might remain in a post-IS Iraq.
Khalaf al-Hadidi, a Ninevah city council member, said the United States is very interested in the Qayyara area, about 56 kilometers (35 miles) south of Mosul in the Ninevah governorate, which is seen as a possible US alternative to Turkey’s Incirlik Air Base. In a statement, Hadidi said, “US forces are constructing another base at the Mosul Dam. However, it is not as big as the Qayyara air base. Work is underway, and we expect that Washington will have influence [in the matter], particularly in Ninevah.”
Hisham al-Hashimi, an Iraqi analyst and writer specialized in security affairs, told Al-Monitor there are about 8,400 US soldiers in northern and western Iraq at regular and temporary bases, which include Qayyara, Hamam al-Alil, Erbil, Dahuk, Sulaimaniyah, Kirkuk, Ayn al-Assad, Rabia, Habbaniyah, Halabja and the Baghdad International Airport. However, “All the places where US troops are present cannot possibly be called bases, but rather camps, as they do not use runways except for Baghdad International Airport,” Hashimi noted.
Ammar Hikmat Baldawi, deputy governor of Salahuddin, confirmed to Al-Monitor that US troops intend to stay longer at bases in Balad and Tikrit in his governorate, and al-Mansuriya base in Diyala governorate.
It seems that Sunnis and Kurds welcome the idea of US troops remaining in the post-IS stage, as some believe that’s the only way to reduce Iran’s Shiite influence in Iraq, and that of the armed groups supporting Iran. They see US troops as a means to control security and neutralize the rampant proliferation of weapons and militias in the country.
Iraqi Kurdistan might become the region with the largest presence of US bases in Iraq. It enjoys a safe environment where there is little if any political or social disapproval of America’s presence, unlike many Iraqi governorates with Sunni or Shiite majorities, where armed factions and militias consider American presence an occupation.
However, some local governments outside the Kurdistan Region also support the idea of the keeping the US military bases, especially in unstable areas, to maintain security and prepare the areas for investment and reconstruction.
“We support keeping the US forces in the military bases in the province under the Iraqi-US agreement in 2008, because this brings more stability to our province,” Baldawi said. “We are even looking forward to the full activation of the agreement.”
He added, “We appreciate the efforts of the international coalition led by the United States in supporting Iraqi forces in the liberation of our province and Iraq as a whole.” Baldawi’s province has witnessed cycles of fighting and violence since the United States invaded in 2003. Most of the province fell at the hands of IS in 2014, but is now under Iraq’s full control.
Al-Monitor tried to determine the current stance of the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) on the presence of US troops. However, the response by PMU security spokesman Youssef al-Kilabi was short and carefully worded: “The PMU is part of the Iraqi armed forces, and it holds the same stance as the Iraqi government.” In the past, some PMU factions did not mince words.
Naturally, the following questions remain unanswered. First, will Abadi be able to convince his rivals and friends that US troops should remain in Iraq? Second, will allowing them to remain guarantee Iraq opportunities for stability and guard against a succession of crises? Third, if Iraq invites US troops to stay without consulting Iran, will Iran take actions to confront the troops?
Read more: http://www.dinarupdates.com/showthread.php?47864-Will-US-keep-military-bases-in-Iraq-after-IS
Transport announces the repair of the damage of the platform of Basra oil port by “record time”
Iraqi Position Network The Ministry of Transport announced on Friday the completion of repair work and the restoration of damage to the linking platform in the port of Basra oil because of the thunderstorm, explaining that the work was done in “record time.”
The ministry said in a statement received “the Iraqi position,” a copy of it, “The Minister of Transport Kazem Cup pigeon supervised the field on the restoration work from yesterday night until daytime,” indicating that “workers in the ports and shipping companies have returned what was destroyed by thunderstorm extraordinary efforts to return The port has its normal capacity. ”
Al-Hamami instructed all employees of the port of Basra to be honored for their dedication to their work in the rehabilitation of the podium in a record time. He called on the media to “be accurate in transmitting the news to the public confusion” “He said.
The Ministry of Transport denied on Monday (March 27, 2017) that the berth number (1) in the port of Basra oil was destroyed by a collision of a tanker due to bad weather conditions, and confirmed that the incident caused minor damage at the site to connect the ropes.
Follow us on twitter @DinarUpdates !!
Dinar Updates – “NEWS TIME” w/BGG & Company – April 2nd 7:30pm CST – In the DU CHAT Room!!
www.DinarUpdates.com – save as favorite
____________________________________________________________
Iraq will not sever ties with Iran despite pressure from Arab nations
AMMAN, Jordan – Iraq will not sever ties with neighboring Iran under pressure from other Arab countries, the Iraqi Foreign Minister confirmed to Rudaw on the sidelines of the Amman Summit as a draft resolution is being considered by the Arab League members calling on Tehran to cease meddling in affairs of the region.
“Iraq is not ready to step towards agitating the region and will not sever ties with any neighboring country,” Ibrahim al-Jaafari told Rudaw, referring to its Shiite neighbor Iran, a strong ally of Baghdad.
Baghdad is not willing to cut ties with any neighboring country, even Turkey, Jaafari said, despite growing differences between the two over the presence of Turkish troops in northern Iraq.
“Do you know that when I am speaking right here Turkish troops are in Iraq, but we have not ended relations with Turkey,” he said.
He stressed that Iraq is doing its best to have friendly relations with its neighbors.
“We do our outmost to lead our relations to go on the right way,” he said, confidently.
Jaafari’s Palestinian counterpart does not echo the sentiment that Arab countries should be lenient in their protest to Iran’s presence in some Arab capitals.
Commenting on a 15-point draft resolution against Iran, Riyad al-Maliki, said it was a unanimous stance of Arab countries against Iran.
“This is the stance of Arab countries because Iran has been meddling in the Arab countries’ affairs and it is present in some Arab capitals,” he said.
He added if Iran continues its presence in Arab capitals, it would undermine any effort to bring peace to the Middle East.
“Having Iranian armed groups will lead to triggering outright and frank words from Arabs against Iran,” Maliki warned.
Addressing the US House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, CENTCOM commander Gen. Joseph Votel, said “Iran wants to be the predominate power in the region.”
In his opinion, Votel said, “Iran poses the greatest long term threat to stability in this part of the world.”
Arab leaders at the 28th Arab Summit in Amman are urging action to condemn Iranian “meddling” in regional affairs in order to promote stability in the Middle East, according to a draft resolution seen and translated by Rudaw.
Lebanon, Tunisia, and Iraq have, however, expressed reservations about the resolution.
While Arab leaders are meeting in Amman, Iranian leader Hasan Rouhani wrapped up a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The two leaders discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation and shared regional interests, including Iraq and Syria.
Also on Wednesday, Iran’s Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Reza Salehi Amiri met with the speaker of the Algerian parliament, Mohamed al-Arabi Ould Khalifa, in Algiers to discuss bilateral relations, regional issues, and confronting extremism and terrorism, IRNA reported.
Khalifa reportedly called for developing parliamentary relations between their two nations. Algeria is a member of the Arab League.
Amiri will also travel to Tunisia, another Arab League member.
Read More: http://www.dinarupdates.com/showthread.php?47856-Economist-Saudi-Arabia-Iraq-debt-forgiveness
____________________________________________________________
BGG (Dinar Guru) – When we talk about the price tag the IMF and the UN have put on Mosul…one has to wonder exactly what leverage the UN has in this game… It is clear what say the IMF has – they are the IMF… but the UN, on the other hand, not so clear…unless viewed through this narrow window. I doubt the UN will allow Iraq an immediate exit from Chapter 7 – the sanctions, yes… the protection… I just doubt it. What does this mean for us? As long as they are doing as the IMF and UN have laid out for them – no reason the IMF and the UN won’t support a return “international acceptance and integration”…and that is all any of us care about. [what has to happen for them to get out of chapter 7] A better question – and the one we all really want to know is… do they even have to be fully out of Chapter 7? My guess. No – they do not…
Read More: http://www.dinarupdates.com/observer/
Eat Well – Lose Weight!!
Nurture your mind with great thoughts; to believe in the heroic makes heroes. – Benjamin Disraeli
1bobby (Dinar Guru) – …if we look at CH 7, the 2 big ones that were given back to Iraq were the right to defend themselves and control of their currency. Having the U.N announce the removal of CH 7 to the world is what Abadi’s looking for.
Read More: http://www.dinarupdates.com/observer/
The Dinar Round Table Call!!
“with the whole DU Crew”
from Tues nite – Mar 14th
Click-N-Listen!!
Smart phone user link – Click here
Bushra: Barzani announces the immediate independence of Kurdistan and there is no need even for the referendum
Because of the knowledge of Barzani and all the people of the Kurdish and even foreign countries the result of the referendum and the opinion of the Kurdish street, which is with the independence of Kurdistan by 100%, and also because of the skepticism of some of the shadowing of Barzani’s intentions about independence and their claim that Barzani traded on the issue of independence, Barzani to the friendly countries not to apply the results of the referendum and that only to know the opinion of the people, has decided to Barzani Declaration of independence of the Kurdistan Region on this day without holding the referendum image and originally annexed the province of Kirkuk and Diyala and Mosul to the young Kurdish state and named (Republic of South Korea Democratic Redistan).
Turkey immediately recognized the south of the Kurdistan Democratic Republic and expressed its readiness to cooperate fully with the Kurdish state that Barzani will be its president and their relations very good.
And this is the fate will turn the first of April 2017 World Day of Lies A historic day celebrates the Kurds every year with the establishment of the Kurdish state.
Inertia reigns in the process of the right Mosul coast despite the liberation of 60% of its area
Baghdad The wave of criticism that followed the fall of civilians in the old city of Mosul has slowed operations, despite the fact that joint forces control about 60 percent of the right coast.
The liberation of western Mosul took its sixth week, and the area controlled by an organization in the right-hand side of the city fell to about 40 percent.
But city officials say the joint forces have been in place for two weeks without real achievements. They find that what has been achieved in the recent period, which preceded the fall of civilians, was very limited.
After the massacre of civilians
There were conflicting statistics about the number of civilians killed in the recent bombing, whose circumstances have not yet been confirmed.
The figures range from 200 to 500 killed in the attack on a 70-meter-long street in the old city that houses 30 houses.
In the meantime, the Pentagon announced that it would soon publish a video showing gunmen from an organization calling civilians to a building in the new neighborhood of Mosul, and then shoot at the Iraqi forces supported by the International Alliance. Colonel Joseph Skruka, an international coalition spokesman, said on Tuesday he was seeking to remove the “secrecy” from a video showing armed militants entering civilians in a building in western Mosul “as bait that lures the coalition to attack.”
“What is happening now is not the use of civilians as human shields … for the first time we discover this through a videotape, forcing armed civilians to enter a building, killing one who showed resistance and then using that building as a battleground against the anti-terrorist unit.”
The Pentagon said on Wednesday it had retracted more than 700 video of coalition raids on western Mosul in Iraq.
A spokesman for the Central Command, Colonel JT. Thomas said that command gives a high priority to investigating Mosul reports.
Nineveh governor Nawfal Hammadi spoke of “more than 130 civilians” who were killed in several days of air strikes targeting al-Jadida area.
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Thursday that he was “targeting the civilian population and taking them as human shields while at the same time intensifying its propaganda campaign to spread rumors.”
“We are in the final stage of the liberation of Mosul and our forces are doing their utmost to protect civilians,” he said.
Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jabouri called on the media to “be careful about any incident”. “There will be no immunity for anyone who intentionally causes the loss of Iraqi lives,” he said.
Amnesty International criticized the US-led coalition and accused him of failing to take adequate precautions to protect civilians.
Operations decline
“The number of dead on the right side of Mosul is more than those who fell in a battle east of Mosul,” said Ahmad al-Jubouri, the Nineveh representative in the lower house of parliament.
“The bodies that were recovered from a house in the new Mosul reached 126 bodies,” Jubouri said in a statement. “A truck bomb exploded in the same place and killed about 100 people.”
“The bombing that took place in that area was caused by a US raid on March 13,” the MP said.
Both the defense and interior ministers ordered an investigation into the cause of the recent Mosul incident.
“Most of the victims were killed by the rubble and delayed by the removal of the buildings that fell over them,” Jubouri said. He criticized the lack of rescue and engineering teams accompanying the military units.
The Iraqi army recently announced the removal of 61 bodies from the rubble of the building, which he said that the organization is urging his brother in the new district of Mosul, which was liberated before days.
Since then, military operations have declined significantly in Mosul, as the fighting stopped for several days, despite the denial of military leadership for it. Information is leaked about the preparation of a new military plan, in which air raids or mortars will be abandoned.
However, al-Jubouri denies the air strikes.
“Ten days ago, the military operations have slowed down,” said Daoud Soldi, a member of the Security Committee of the Nineveh Council.
A soldier, in contact with the (range) yesterday, that “the period taken by the military units were sufficient to liberate the right coast, but something happened to disrupt this.”
“The talk of the air strike in central Mosul, which caused the decline of the joint forces,” he said. “Fifteen days ago, Iraqi factions surrounded the al-Nuri Mosque in the old Mosul without clear progress.”
“Iraqi forces now control 60 percent of the area of the right coast,” Jabouri said. But he stressed that the battle is not easy, pointing out that “the area of the mosque Nuri need to a special process of narrow alleys and population density.”
Iraqi Dinar/Dollar auction 03-30-17 (most recent listing)
Currency Auctions Announcement No. 3412
This daily currency auction was held in the Central Bank of Iraq on the 03-30-2017
The results were as follows:
| DETAILS | NOTES |
| Number of banks | 37 |
| Number of remittance companies | 11 |
| Auction price selling dinar / US$ | —– |
| Auction price buying dinar / US$ | —– |
| Amount sold at auction price (US$) | 159,075,819 |
| Amount purchased at Auction price (US$) | —– |
| Total offers for buying (US$) | 159,075,819 |
| Total offers for selling (US$) | —– |
More: http://dinarupdates.com/observer/
Click this link to join the DU “private” FaceBook Group…
https://www.facebook.com/groups/571383766355188/
(go here and ask to join… then add some Dinar Friends!!)
Regarding the D.U.C.E. List e-mails –
If you are not receiving D.U.C.E. messages, it’s possible the receiving mail server is blocking or filtering the message before it’s delivered to your inbox. One solution is to whitelist our domain and IP ranges so that the server will allow messages through the block.
Below is our whitelisting information. You’ll want to provide this information to your IT or website administrator and they can add it to the mail server so that future messages are delivered to your inbox… or add this info to your e-mail profile.
DinarUpdates.com Domains:
From domain – mail.vresp.com
Bounce domain – cts.vresp.com
DinarUpdates.com IP ranges:
74.116.89.0/24
74.116.91.0/24
63.251.246.0/24
____________________________________________________________
The following .PDF is the review by RCookie of the IMF board’s publishing of Iraq’s SBA (excellent info) – He would have wanted you all to have it.. posting the whole .PDF was the only way to get it on here. Enjoy. BGG
Robert Cook CSW CSS CBP CST CTC
Iraq:
IMF EXECUTIVE BOARD COMPLETES FIRST REVIEW IRAQ’S STAND-BY ARRANGEMENT (45 pages…)
| CURRENCY | CODE | SELL | BUY |
| US dollar | USD | 1184.000 | 1182.000 |
| Euro | EUR | 1272.563 | 1271.927 |
| British pound | GBP | 1471.890 | 1471.154 |
| Canadian dollar | CAD | 885.962 | 885.519 |
| Swiss franc | CHF | 1191.147 | 1190.551 |
| Swedish krona | SEK | 133.640 | 133.574 |
| Norwegian krone | NOK | 138.460 | 138.391 |
| Danish krone | DKK | 171.017 | 170.931 |
| Japanese yen | JPY | 10.646 | 10.640 |
| Special Drawing Rights |
SDR | 1612.454 | 1611.648 |
Indicative rates – 03.30.2017
http://www.cbi.iq/