A thread on the Iraqi Parliament’s resolution today calling on government to initiate the removal of foreign troops 1/
The Iraqi Government has a set of agreements and requests for assistance with foreign nations (such as the US) & organizations (such as NATO & Coalition) to advise, train & support the Iraqi Security Forces. Most of these are for the purpose of combatting Daesh, some are wider 2/
Parliament did not enact any legislation to govern these agreements, they were set about in an exchange of diplomatic notes by Iraq’s MoFA and the other side. As such, the government can cancel these agreements without reverting to parliament 3/
These requests & agreements do not dictate a timetable in the event of their cancellation. It is plausible that such action from the Iraqi side will build in a lengthy period but not beyond 2020. The other side may decide to withdraw rather than be pushed out 4/
The PM did not initiate the process to remove foreign troops but urged parliament to do so. 2 main reasons for this:
- the ramifications, sovereignty issues, procedural. As outgoing govt having support of parliament resolution better
- pressure on parliament than cabinet
5/
- the ramifications, sovereignty issues, procedural. As outgoing govt having support of parliament resolution better
- pressure on parliament than cabinet
5/
Parliament resolution to government:
- cancel request for assistance from Coalition
- remove all foreign troops, prevent use of land & airspace
- keep weapons in hands of govt
- lodge complaint against the US at the UN for violating sovereignty
- investigate US airstrike
6/
- cancel request for assistance from Coalition
- remove all foreign troops, prevent use of land & airspace
- keep weapons in hands of govt
- lodge complaint against the US at the UN for violating sovereignty
- investigate US airstrike
6/
Goverment has 3 choices:
- ignore parliament resolution
- act on it (quick or slow)
- return to parliament with draft bill for the above (time wasting/buck passing)
Legal opinions abound on all this but history shows politicians ignore constitution/process/law when expedient 7/
- ignore parliament resolution
- act on it (quick or slow)
- return to parliament with draft bill for the above (time wasting/buck passing)
Legal opinions abound on all this but history shows politicians ignore constitution/process/law when expedient 7/
The PM said the US and Iraqi priorities are diverging (US in Iraq to combat Iran primarily so will carry out further such actions), cannot guarantee safety of US troops in Iraq and nor can US itself so best to remove them to prevent reprisals and escalation 8/
Around 150 MPs did not attend the vote, the majority of whom likely oppose the expulsion of foreign troops. At this moment in time government has not yet decided to remove foreign troops but it is probable soon as things stand 9/
