Iran And US Preparing For New Round Of Conflict In Iraq

Reports indicate that Iran, the US and Iranian proxies are all preparing for a conflict in Iraq after a year of rising tensions, rocket attacks and airstrikes. The US-led Coalition has been repositioning forces in the last weeks, handing over several key posts, and the training of Iraqi forces is temporarily wrapping up. Several European powers that contributed to the Coalition seem to be bringing forces home due to the pandemic.

What is left in Iraq amid the tensions look like two boxers in the ring waiting to see what happens next. The New York Times reported over the weekend that the Pentagon had drawn up “secret plans to escalate combat in Iraq against Iranian-backed militia.” But the plan is no longer “secret” and it turns out that commanders may have opposed the concept. Some want a showdown with Iran. Since last May tensions grew between the US and Iran in the Middle East. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had warned at the time about Iranian plans against the US in Iraq. -Full Report

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