Iraq Preparing For A Bigger Role In Syria After The U.S. Withdrawal

Iraqi forces in the past pounded ISIL positions inside Syria after getting the green light from Syrian authorities [Reuters]

Reuters: Iraq hints at bigger role in Syria after U.S. withdrawal

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq’s prime minister said on Sunday that top security officials from Baghdad had met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, and hinted at a bigger Iraqi role fighting Islamic State militants as U.S. troops withdraw from Syria.

“This issue has a lot of complications,” Adel Abdul Mahdi told reporters, referring to U.S. President Donald Trump’s surprise announcement this month that he will withdraw U.S. forces from Iraq’s neighbor.

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WNU Editor: The Syrian government has given the authorization to Iraq to launch air strikes against ISIS targets in eastern Syria .... Syria's Assad authorizes Iraqi forces to strike IS in Syria (AP). More here .... Damascus allows Iraq to hit ISIL targets in Syria: State media (Al Jazeera). This announcement comes after this meeting .... Assad Receives Iraqi National Security Adviser in Damascus (Sputnik).