WASHINGTON - The United States has asked Iraq for permission to put Patriot missile systems at bases hosting U.S. troops to improve defences against attacks like the Jan. 8 Iranian missile strike that caused brain injuries to more than 50 U.S. troops, Pentagon officials said Thursday. “That is one of the matters we have to work on and work through” with the Baghdad government, Defence Secretary Mark Esper told a Pentagon news conference. The United States has about 5,000 troops in Iraq to train and advise Iraqi security forces in their fight against extremist groups like the Islamic State. The Iraqi government has indicated it could expel all foreign forces, although it has not yet taken action against the U.S. presence. Asked whether the Iranian missiles could have been shot down before reaching their target if Patriots had been deployed at Ain al-Asad, Milley said, “That’s what they’re designed to do.

Source: thestar January 30, 2020 17:24 UTC