But the talks point to a consensus by both governments that, in contrast to the US withdrawal in 2011, a longer-term presence of American troops in Iraq is needed to ensure that an insurgency does not bubble up again once the militants are driven out. The forces include troops training Iraqi forces, coordinating airstrikes and ground operations, and special forces operating on the front lines. Nevertheless, that footprint has since grown given Iraqi forces' need for support. During a visit to Iraq in February, Mattis and Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, the top US commander in Iraq, described an enduring partnership between the US and Iraq. "Iraq's security forces and the Popular Mobilization Forces (mostly Shi'a militia groups) have the ability to protect (Iraq's) internal roads and borders, so why is al-Abadi using American security partners?"

Source: Egypt Independent May 04, 2017 13:52 UTC