US has no plans to pull military from Iraq after confusion over leaked letter

The United States has no plans to pull out militarily from Iraq, Defence Secretary Mark Esper told Pentagon reporters on Monday, following reports of a US military letter about a withdrawal. Key points: US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said he didn't know where the letter came from US top army General Mark Milley said it was a poorly worded draft document The letter said the US would reposition forces over the next few days and weeks The developments come in the aftermath of an American drone strike, ordered by US President Donald Trump, that killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani, widely seen as Iran's second-most-powerful figure behind Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "Sir, in deference to the sovereignty of the Republic of Iraq, and as requested by the Iraqi Parliament and the Prime Minister, CJTF-OIR will be repositioning forces over the course of the coming days and weeks to prepare for onward movement," read a letter from US Marine Corps Brigadier General William H Seely III, the commanding general of Task Force Iraq. Top US army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the leaked letter was a poorly worded draft document meant to only underscore increased movement of forces. US army General Mark Milley said the leaked letter was a poorly worded draft document meant to only underscore increased movement of forces.