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Live updates: Deadly stampede killing dozens postpones burial for slain Iranian commander Live updates: Deadly stampede killing dozens postpones burial for slain Iranian commander
(32 minutes later)
The burial of slain Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani was postponed Tuesday when a stampede killed at least 40 people during massive mourning marches through his hometown of Kerman, Iranian state television reported. The burial of slain Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani was postponed Tuesday when a stampede killed at least 50 people during massive mourning marches through his hometown of Kerman, Iranian state television reported.
Iranian leaders have stepped up calls for revenge against the United States, with one intelligence official saying concrete retaliation plans are already being discussed. Iranian leaders have stepped up calls for revenge against the United States for its aistrike that killed Soleimani, with one intelligence official saying concrete retaliation plans are already being discussed.
Here’s what we know so far:Here’s what we know so far:
●Iranian state news agencies reported that at least 40 people died and more than 200 were injured in a stampede during funeral ceremonies in Kerman, Soleimani’s hometown. ●Iranian state news agencies reported that at least 50 people died and more than 200 were injured in a stampede during funeral ceremonies in Kerman, Soleimani’s hometown.
●Security council head Ali Shamkhani said 13 scenarios for retaliation are being considered, and specifically mentioned that U.S. bases in the region were under surveillance.●Security council head Ali Shamkhani said 13 scenarios for retaliation are being considered, and specifically mentioned that U.S. bases in the region were under surveillance.
●Iran’s Revolutionary Guard commander, Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami, hinted that Israel could be a target. ●Iran’s Revolutionary Guard commander, Gen. Hossein Salami, hinted that Israel could be a target.
●Iran’s foreign minister said the United States denied him a visa to attend a United Nations meeting in New York.●Iran’s foreign minister said the United States denied him a visa to attend a United Nations meeting in New York.
●The Trump administration is drawing up potential sanctions against Iraq if the country’s leaders go through with plans to order the expulsion of U.S. troops for killing Soleimani on Iraqi soil.●The Trump administration is drawing up potential sanctions against Iraq if the country’s leaders go through with plans to order the expulsion of U.S. troops for killing Soleimani on Iraqi soil.
ISTANBUL — The death toll from a stampede at the funeral of Iranian Quds Force commander, Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, rose to 50 Tuesday as officials in Kerman province grappled with the growing influx of casualties.
The panic along the route leading to Soleimani’s final burial place also left more than 200 people injured, health officials said. Authorities postponed the rest of the burial ceremony due to overcrowding and the mounting death toll.
The head of Iran’s emergency services, Pirhossein Koulivand, said the stampede occurred at Azadi Square in Kerman city, home to some half a million people and the birthplace of Soleimani. The majority of the victims were men, according Kerman’s head of forensics, Abbas Amian.
Eyewitnesses, speaking to BBC’s Persian-language channel, described masses of people crammed into a single street leading to the square.
“The route that they chose was too narrow for this crowd. This is something that could have been prevented,” said one Kerman resident, who was not named.
“The surrounding alleyways were also blocked for different reasons,” he said. “There was no way to go back or to escape through a side street.”
A video published on the Shoma news website showed chaotic scenes of people lying either dead or unconscious on the ground, with fellow mourners scrambling to help the injured. Many appeared lifeless, the color drained from their faces.
“Don’t panic!” one person shouted. Another could be heard calling for water.
“Don’t give them water,” another man said. “Just splash a little bit on their faces.”
BERLIN — British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has warned that militants “would be the only winners” of a full-blown war as a result of U.S.-Iran tensions. Raab singled out the Islamic State group as having most to gain.BERLIN — British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has warned that militants “would be the only winners” of a full-blown war as a result of U.S.-Iran tensions. Raab singled out the Islamic State group as having most to gain.
The U.S.-led international coalition fighting the Islamic State has suspended its operations over safety concerns, even though the move is so far only temporary.The U.S.-led international coalition fighting the Islamic State has suspended its operations over safety concerns, even though the move is so far only temporary.
Boris Johnson will not back Trump’s threat of targeting Iran’s cultural sitesBoris Johnson will not back Trump’s threat of targeting Iran’s cultural sites
Raab’s warning came after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron issued a joint statement, which called on “all parties to exercise utmost restraint and responsibility.”Raab’s warning came after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron issued a joint statement, which called on “all parties to exercise utmost restraint and responsibility.”
Raab reiterated on Tuesday that “if we see a full-blown war it would be very damaging.”Raab reiterated on Tuesday that “if we see a full-blown war it would be very damaging.”
As The Post’s William Booth and Karla Adam reported on Monday, Johnson’s government is trying to perform a balancing act between living up to Britain’s role as a close ally of the United States and widespread disagreement in Britain and across Europe with President Trump’s recent moves on Iran.As The Post’s William Booth and Karla Adam reported on Monday, Johnson’s government is trying to perform a balancing act between living up to Britain’s role as a close ally of the United States and widespread disagreement in Britain and across Europe with President Trump’s recent moves on Iran.
ISTANBUL — At least 40 people have been killed and more than 200 injured in a stampede at the burial ceremony for Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, Iran’s slain Quds Force commander. ISTANBUL — At least 40 people have been killed and more than 200 injured in a stampede at the burial ceremony for Soleimani, Iran’s slain Quds Force commander.
The new death toll was reported by Iranian state news agencies, quoting the head of Iran’s emergency services, Pirhossein Koulivand.The new death toll was reported by Iranian state news agencies, quoting the head of Iran’s emergency services, Pirhossein Koulivand.
The stampede erupted in Soleimani’s hometown, Kerman, as massive crowds gathered to mourn the general, who was killed by a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad last week.The stampede erupted in Soleimani’s hometown, Kerman, as massive crowds gathered to mourn the general, who was killed by a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad last week.
Hundreds of thousands of mourners have turned out to attend the commander’s funeral procession across several Iranian cities.Hundreds of thousands of mourners have turned out to attend the commander’s funeral procession across several Iranian cities.
A local official in Kerman, Majid Saeedi, said that emergency responders, the Iranian Red Crescent Society and hospitals in surrounding towns were on alert to receive casualties.A local official in Kerman, Majid Saeedi, said that emergency responders, the Iranian Red Crescent Society and hospitals in surrounding towns were on alert to receive casualties.
ISTANBUL — The U.S. drone strike that killed Soleimani in Iraq last week was an act of “state terrorism,” Iran’s foreign minister said Tuesday.ISTANBUL — The U.S. drone strike that killed Soleimani in Iraq last week was an act of “state terrorism,” Iran’s foreign minister said Tuesday.
In an interview with CNN, Mohammad Javad Zarif criticized President Trump and what he said was the U.S. leader’s lack of respect for international law.In an interview with CNN, Mohammad Javad Zarif criticized President Trump and what he said was the U.S. leader’s lack of respect for international law.
The United States targeted the Iranian Quds Force commander as he left the Baghdad airport in a two-vehicle convoyearly Friday. The strike against a senior Iranian official was a major escalation in what had been a simmering conflict between the United States and Iran.The United States targeted the Iranian Quds Force commander as he left the Baghdad airport in a two-vehicle convoyearly Friday. The strike against a senior Iranian official was a major escalation in what had been a simmering conflict between the United States and Iran.
“This is an act of aggression against Iran, and amounts to an armed attack against Iran and we will respond,” Zarif said.“This is an act of aggression against Iran, and amounts to an armed attack against Iran and we will respond,” Zarif said.
“But we will respond proportionally, not disproportionally. We will respond lawfully,” he continued. “We are not lawless people like President Trump.”“But we will respond proportionally, not disproportionally. We will respond lawfully,” he continued. “We are not lawless people like President Trump.”
Responding to Iran’s pledge to retaliate, Trump threatened Saturday to target Iranian cultural sites. The United Nations’ top cultural and scientific body, UNESCO, has 22 Iranian cultural sites on its world heritage list.Responding to Iran’s pledge to retaliate, Trump threatened Saturday to target Iranian cultural sites. The United Nations’ top cultural and scientific body, UNESCO, has 22 Iranian cultural sites on its world heritage list.
Trump “has no respect for international law and is prepared to commit war crimes — attacking cultural sites is a war crime,” said Zarif, who was educated in the United States.Trump “has no respect for international law and is prepared to commit war crimes — attacking cultural sites is a war crime,” said Zarif, who was educated in the United States.
ISTANBUL — The burial of Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the slain commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force, was postponed Tuesday due to severe overcrowding and a deadly stampede, officials said.ISTANBUL — The burial of Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the slain commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force, was postponed Tuesday due to severe overcrowding and a deadly stampede, officials said.
A spokesman for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a powerful security organ that includes the Quds Force, said that funeral services in Soleimani’s hometown, Kerman, were suspended and would be held at a later date. His remarks were carried by the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA).A spokesman for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a powerful security organ that includes the Quds Force, said that funeral services in Soleimani’s hometown, Kerman, were suspended and would be held at a later date. His remarks were carried by the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA).
Soleimani, a divisive but popular figure, was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad last week. His funeral procession started Saturday in the Iraqi capital and included stops in the shrine cities of Karbala and Najaf, as well as in Ahvaz, Mashhad, Tehran, Qom and Kerman in Iran.Soleimani, a divisive but popular figure, was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad last week. His funeral procession started Saturday in the Iraqi capital and included stops in the shrine cities of Karbala and Najaf, as well as in Ahvaz, Mashhad, Tehran, Qom and Kerman in Iran.
Earlier Tuesday, throngs of supporters filled the streets of Kerman, home to about half a million people, to accompany the commander’s flag-draped coffin to the local cemetery.Earlier Tuesday, throngs of supporters filled the streets of Kerman, home to about half a million people, to accompany the commander’s flag-draped coffin to the local cemetery.
As the crowds grew, a crush of people trampled their fellow mourners.As the crowds grew, a crush of people trampled their fellow mourners.
Because of the traffic, the vehicle carrying Soleimani’s body was stopped in the street leading to the cemetery, ISNA quoted the head of the commander’s funeral committee, Mehdi Sadafi, as saying.Because of the traffic, the vehicle carrying Soleimani’s body was stopped in the street leading to the cemetery, ISNA quoted the head of the commander’s funeral committee, Mehdi Sadafi, as saying.
“The Iranian people have done their duty today, and the vast ocean of millions of people attending the funeral have confirmed this,” Revolutionary Guard spokesman Ramadan Sharif said, ISNA reported.“The Iranian people have done their duty today, and the vast ocean of millions of people attending the funeral have confirmed this,” Revolutionary Guard spokesman Ramadan Sharif said, ISNA reported.
DUBAI — The U.S. Department of Transportation issued an alert advising U.S. commercial ships to “exercise caution” when passing through waters near Iran, citing the threat from “Iran and its proxies.”DUBAI — The U.S. Department of Transportation issued an alert advising U.S. commercial ships to “exercise caution” when passing through waters near Iran, citing the threat from “Iran and its proxies.”
The alert listed the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman and the entire Indian Ocean as areas in which to be cautious.The alert listed the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman and the entire Indian Ocean as areas in which to be cautious.
After a U.S. airstrike killed a top Iranian commander early Jan. 3, the alerte said, “the Iranian response to this action, if any, is unknown, but there remains the possibility of Iranian action against U.S. maritime interests in the region.”After a U.S. airstrike killed a top Iranian commander early Jan. 3, the alerte said, “the Iranian response to this action, if any, is unknown, but there remains the possibility of Iranian action against U.S. maritime interests in the region.”
A series of incidents occurred during the summer in the narrow waters between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula through which pass vast amounts of the world’s oil. The incidents included attacks on six commercial vessels and the seizure of three tankers.A series of incidents occurred during the summer in the narrow waters between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula through which pass vast amounts of the world’s oil. The incidents included attacks on six commercial vessels and the seizure of three tankers.
ISTANBUL — Dozens of people have been killed in a stampede at the funeral service for Soleimani in his hometown of Kerman, the Associated Press reported, quoting state television.ISTANBUL — Dozens of people have been killed in a stampede at the funeral service for Soleimani in his hometown of Kerman, the Associated Press reported, quoting state television.
Head of emergency services Pirhossein Koulivand told the state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting that the stampede was caused by overcrowding. Videos posted on social media showed mourners wailing and attempting to revive fellow marchers who had fallen to the ground.Head of emergency services Pirhossein Koulivand told the state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting that the stampede was caused by overcrowding. Videos posted on social media showed mourners wailing and attempting to revive fellow marchers who had fallen to the ground.
Earlier Tuesday, footage on state television showed a sea of mourners in the city of roughly 530,000 people.Earlier Tuesday, footage on state television showed a sea of mourners in the city of roughly 530,000 people.
BERLIN — Germany has temporarily moved all its military personnel stationed in non-Kurdish Iraqi territory to either Jordan or Kuwait, a German military spokesman said Tuesday.BERLIN — Germany has temporarily moved all its military personnel stationed in non-Kurdish Iraqi territory to either Jordan or Kuwait, a German military spokesman said Tuesday.
The announcement came after the U.S.-led international coalition fighting the Islamic State suspended its operations over safety concerns, including the training mission German service members were involved in.The announcement came after the U.S.-led international coalition fighting the Islamic State suspended its operations over safety concerns, including the training mission German service members were involved in.
A German military spokesman said the troops that were flown out of the country had been scheduled to leave even before tensions between the U.S. and Iran escalated, as their rotation was coming to an end.A German military spokesman said the troops that were flown out of the country had been scheduled to leave even before tensions between the U.S. and Iran escalated, as their rotation was coming to an end.
Due to the heightened tensions, they will not be replaced until further notice. German parliamentary representatives were informed about the decision on Monday.Due to the heightened tensions, they will not be replaced until further notice. German parliamentary representatives were informed about the decision on Monday.
Where U.S. troops are in the Middle East and Afghanistan, visualizedWhere U.S. troops are in the Middle East and Afghanistan, visualized
A total of 35 German service members in the district of Taji and in Baghdad were affected by the order to leave Iraq, which was completed by Tuesday morning. About 110 more German military members are still stationed in Irbil, the regional capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, the spokesman said.A total of 35 German service members in the district of Taji and in Baghdad were affected by the order to leave Iraq, which was completed by Tuesday morning. About 110 more German military members are still stationed in Irbil, the regional capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, the spokesman said.
The German government said it remains open to returning military personnel to Baghdad and other Iraqi bases. “In principle, we stand by the usefulness of this mission,” a military spokesman said. “The fight against the Islamic State is not over and the many achievements we have made need to be secured. The decisive factor will now be the Iraqi government,” he said.The German government said it remains open to returning military personnel to Baghdad and other Iraqi bases. “In principle, we stand by the usefulness of this mission,” a military spokesman said. “The fight against the Islamic State is not over and the many achievements we have made need to be secured. The decisive factor will now be the Iraqi government,” he said.
The popular general, who engineered Tehran’s project building proxy forces across the Middle East, was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad last week.The popular general, who engineered Tehran’s project building proxy forces across the Middle East, was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad last week.
His funeral procession started in Baghdad Saturday and continued to the Iraqi Shiite shrine cities of Karbala and Najaf, as well as the Iranian cities of Ahvaz, Mashhad, Tehran and Qom.His funeral procession started in Baghdad Saturday and continued to the Iraqi Shiite shrine cities of Karbala and Najaf, as well as the Iranian cities of Ahvaz, Mashhad, Tehran and Qom.
Kerman, in southeastern Iran, is where the 62-year-old commander was born. Aerial footage broadcast on Iranian state television showed a sea of mourners dressed in black and waving red flags — signifying blood unjustly spilled — as they filled a major artery in the city. Some threw flowers at other items at the funeral cortège as it passed through the crowds.Kerman, in southeastern Iran, is where the 62-year-old commander was born. Aerial footage broadcast on Iranian state television showed a sea of mourners dressed in black and waving red flags — signifying blood unjustly spilled — as they filled a major artery in the city. Some threw flowers at other items at the funeral cortège as it passed through the crowds.
The masses of mourners in Kerman reflected similar sized crowds in other Iranian cities.The masses of mourners in Kerman reflected similar sized crowds in other Iranian cities.
On Monday in Tehran, hundreds of thousands of people turned out in the city in a huge display of grief and anger.On Monday in Tehran, hundreds of thousands of people turned out in the city in a huge display of grief and anger.
“I went to the funeral because it was important for me to show that I value someone who has sacrificed himself and his family,” said Narges, 45, a housewife in Tehran. She spoke on the condition that her full name not be used so she could discuss freely her views of the commander.“I went to the funeral because it was important for me to show that I value someone who has sacrificed himself and his family,” said Narges, 45, a housewife in Tehran. She spoke on the condition that her full name not be used so she could discuss freely her views of the commander.
At the same time, she said: “Everyone is talking about revenge, but it is important to have a more measured reaction — something that is equal to what they [the Americans] did.”At the same time, she said: “Everyone is talking about revenge, but it is important to have a more measured reaction — something that is equal to what they [the Americans] did.”
DUBAI — A top Iranian security official said the country has drawn up 13 scenarios to retaliate for the U.S. slaying of a prominent military commander.DUBAI — A top Iranian security official said the country has drawn up 13 scenarios to retaliate for the U.S. slaying of a prominent military commander.
Ali Shamkani, head of Iran’s National Security Council, said even the mildest of these options would be a “historical nightmare” for the United States.Ali Shamkani, head of Iran’s National Security Council, said even the mildest of these options would be a “historical nightmare” for the United States.
He added that the retaliation would “not be limited to a single operation.”He added that the retaliation would “not be limited to a single operation.”
Shamkhani declined to elaborate but specifically mentioned the many U.S. bases near the borders of Iran, saying “we’re aware of their military personnel and equipment.”Shamkhani declined to elaborate but specifically mentioned the many U.S. bases near the borders of Iran, saying “we’re aware of their military personnel and equipment.”
The killing of Soleimani by a U.S. airstrike has evoked a flurry of promises of revenge against U.S. targets, though with few specifics.The killing of Soleimani by a U.S. airstrike has evoked a flurry of promises of revenge against U.S. targets, though with few specifics.
ISTANBUL — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Tuesday that the United States had denied his request for a visa to attend a meeting at the New York headquarters of the United Nations.ISTANBUL — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Tuesday that the United States had denied his request for a visa to attend a meeting at the New York headquarters of the United Nations.
The move appears to violate an agreement the United States made with the United Nations in 1947 requiring the U.S. government to facilitate the entry of foreign officials attending the organization’s meetings.The move appears to violate an agreement the United States made with the United Nations in 1947 requiring the U.S. government to facilitate the entry of foreign officials attending the organization’s meetings.
Zarif, who spoke on the sidelines of a conference in Tehran, said he was invited by the president of the U.N. Security Council to appear at a meeting emphasizing the importance of upholding the U.N. charter.Zarif, who spoke on the sidelines of a conference in Tehran, said he was invited by the president of the U.N. Security Council to appear at a meeting emphasizing the importance of upholding the U.N. charter.
Zarif is a U.S.-educated diplomat and skilled speaker who is frequently hosted by U.S. think tanks and meets regularly with American and other foreign journalists.Zarif is a U.S.-educated diplomat and skilled speaker who is frequently hosted by U.S. think tanks and meets regularly with American and other foreign journalists.
“The visa application was submitted several weeks ago,” said Zarif, whose movements in the United States were previously restricted by the Trump administration.“The visa application was submitted several weeks ago,” said Zarif, whose movements in the United States were previously restricted by the Trump administration.
He accused the administration of attempting to portray the visa request as timed to the aftermath of the U.S. strike againstSoleimani.He accused the administration of attempting to portray the visa request as timed to the aftermath of the U.S. strike againstSoleimani.
“That is why their response to us was that they ‘did not have enough time to issue the visa,’” he said. “They fear that someone will reveal the realities for Americans there.”“That is why their response to us was that they ‘did not have enough time to issue the visa,’” he said. “They fear that someone will reveal the realities for Americans there.”
DUBAI — The leader of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard Corps said Tuesday at the funeral of a colleague slain by a U.S. airstrike that locations loved by the United States would be set on fire in revenge — a possible reference to Israel.DUBAI — The leader of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard Corps said Tuesday at the funeral of a colleague slain by a U.S. airstrike that locations loved by the United States would be set on fire in revenge — a possible reference to Israel.
Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami spoke to hundreds of thousands gathering in the southern Iranian town of Kerman, birthplace of Soleimani, leader of the Guard’s Quds Force. Gen. Hossein Salami spoke to hundreds of thousands gathering in the southern Iranian town of Kerman, birthplace of Soleimani, leader of the Guard’s Quds Force.
“We will set fire to the place they love, and they know where that is,” said Salami. Some commentators have suggested that he could have been referring to Israel. As he spoke, the crowd chanted “Death to Israel!”“We will set fire to the place they love, and they know where that is,” said Salami. Some commentators have suggested that he could have been referring to Israel. As he spoke, the crowd chanted “Death to Israel!”
U.S. strike gives Netanyahu a chance to shift focus from legal woes, but not for longU.S. strike gives Netanyahu a chance to shift focus from legal woes, but not for long
Since Friday’s killing of Soleimani, Iran’s leadership has repeatedly vowed to exact harsh revenge on U.S. military and political sites. U.S. troops and bases in the region are widely considered to be potential targets.Since Friday’s killing of Soleimani, Iran’s leadership has repeatedly vowed to exact harsh revenge on U.S. military and political sites. U.S. troops and bases in the region are widely considered to be potential targets.
Soleimani’s body has toured several cities in Iran, including the capital, Tehran, on Monday.Soleimani’s body has toured several cities in Iran, including the capital, Tehran, on Monday.
WASHINGTON — Senior administration officials have begun drafting sanctions against Iraq after President Trump publicly threatened the country with economic penalties if it proceeded to expel U.S. troops, according to three people briefed on the planning.WASHINGTON — Senior administration officials have begun drafting sanctions against Iraq after President Trump publicly threatened the country with economic penalties if it proceeded to expel U.S. troops, according to three people briefed on the planning.
The Treasury Department and White House will probably take a lead role if the sanctions are implemented, the officials said. Such a step would represent a highly unusual move against a foreign ally that the United States has spent almost two decades and hundreds of billions of dollars supporting.The Treasury Department and White House will probably take a lead role if the sanctions are implemented, the officials said. Such a step would represent a highly unusual move against a foreign ally that the United States has spent almost two decades and hundreds of billions of dollars supporting.
The officials emphasized that talks were preliminary and that no final decision has been made on whether to impose the sanctions.The officials emphasized that talks were preliminary and that no final decision has been made on whether to impose the sanctions.
After Trump’s threat, administration begins drafting possible sanctions against IraqAfter Trump’s threat, administration begins drafting possible sanctions against Iraq
One of the officials said the plan was to wait “at least a little while” on the sanctions decision to see whether Iraqi officials followed through on their threat to push U.S. troops out of the country.One of the officials said the plan was to wait “at least a little while” on the sanctions decision to see whether Iraqi officials followed through on their threat to push U.S. troops out of the country.
The discussion about sanctions follow Trump’s decision to kill Soleimani last week. In response to the killing, Iraq’s parliament voted to expel American troops from the country.The discussion about sanctions follow Trump’s decision to kill Soleimani last week. In response to the killing, Iraq’s parliament voted to expel American troops from the country.
WASHINGTON — After the U.S. military’s letter describing plans to reposition troops within Iraq in preparation for a possible withdrawal leaked, Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, called Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., commander of the U.S. Central Command, which oversees the Middle East. McKenzie told him the draft letter was an honest mistake, “but used other words that were a little more colorful than mistake,” Milley said.WASHINGTON — After the U.S. military’s letter describing plans to reposition troops within Iraq in preparation for a possible withdrawal leaked, Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, called Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., commander of the U.S. Central Command, which oversees the Middle East. McKenzie told him the draft letter was an honest mistake, “but used other words that were a little more colorful than mistake,” Milley said.
The U.S. military drafted the letter because it is moving forces around the region, within Iraq and from Kuwait into Iraq, and anticipates increased helicopter movement, Milley said, noting that draft letters are often coordinated with partners in advance, but are circulated without the signature of the official sending the communication.The U.S. military drafted the letter because it is moving forces around the region, within Iraq and from Kuwait into Iraq, and anticipates increased helicopter movement, Milley said, noting that draft letters are often coordinated with partners in advance, but are circulated without the signature of the official sending the communication.
Once a policy afterthought, Iraq becomes a problem for Trump administrationOnce a policy afterthought, Iraq becomes a problem for Trump administration
The leaked letter wasn’t signed. Milley said that McKenzie, the top U.S. commander overseeing the Middle East, said the letter should never have happened. “We understand U.S. government policy — nobody is leaving, there’s no onward movement, we got all that. Honest mistake. Draft,” Milley said McKenzie told him.The leaked letter wasn’t signed. Milley said that McKenzie, the top U.S. commander overseeing the Middle East, said the letter should never have happened. “We understand U.S. government policy — nobody is leaving, there’s no onward movement, we got all that. Honest mistake. Draft,” Milley said McKenzie told him.