YEMEN Press Agency

America is planning long-term stay in Syria, Iraq

SANAA, Aug 13 (YPA) – The Commander-in-Chief of the US Central Command, General Kenneth McKinsey, announced on Thursday that his country “intends to reduce its forces in Iraq and Syria in the coming months, in exchange for maintaining a long-term presence.”
McKinsey expects that US and other NATO forces will maintain a long-term presence in Iraq, to help designate the fight against terrorism and stop Iranian influence.

McKinsey declined to disclose the size of this presence, but other US officials said that discussions with Iraqi officials that resume this month could lead to a reduction in the number of troops to about 3,500 soldiers.