Iraqi Gen. Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias known as the Popular Mobilization Forces. McKenzie met with leaders in Baghdad and visited American troops at al-Assad airbase, which was bombed by Iran last month in retaliation. IRANIAN ACCUSED OF SPYING FOR CIA WILL BE EXECUTED 'SOON,' OFFICIAL SAYSHe acknowledged that due to current tense relations, joint military operations and training between U.S. and Iraqi troops had been scaled back. U.S. leaders have largely dismissed calls for American troops, which number more than 6,000 in Iraq, to leave the country. After the Jan. 8 attacks on two air bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq, the U.S. asked to bring the Patriot surface-to-air system into the country.

Source: Fox News February 04, 2020 21:32 UTC