A prominent Iraqi expert warned of the US attempts to increase forces in Iraq to take control of the country's border with Syria and protect ISIL ringleader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi who is said to be kept in the same region. RNA - The Arabic-language al-Ma'aloumeh news website quoted Kazzem al-Haaj as saying on Monday that the US is implementing President Trump's order to heighten the number of American forces in Iraq.
He added that the measure is aimed at taking control of the bordering areas between Iraq and Syria, specially the regions which host oil pipelines to Jordan, noting that some of the US forces are tasked with protecting al-Baghdadi.
Al-Haaj said that the US is imposing its presence on Iraq before the Iraqi parliament can approve a bill to expel the foreign forces, adding that Washington is deploying its forces and terrorist groups in important areas from the Western part of al-Anbar province to Northern Iraq.
According to Fars News Agency, Iraqi sources had also reported on Monday that the US aircraft have transferred more American forces to the Western Iraqi province of al-Anbar during nighttime.
The US airplanes deployed US Army soldiers in Ein al-Assad and al-Habaniyeh military bases in al-Anbar Province, head of Iraqi Badr Organization's Office in Al-Anbar province disclosed.
He noted that the US troops are deployed to other military bases in Western Desert of al-Anbar during daylight, and said that some spy for these forces in specific regions and cities of al-Anbar province.
847/940