Iraqi gov't is blocking deployment of Patriot missiles to protect US troops. Me: "Why have you not moved the Patriot missile batteries into Iraq?" Esper: "We need to make sure we have permission from the host government."— Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) January 30, 2020
Me: You do feel you need them? Gen Milley : "Yes." https://t.co/G7WoF8yJa8
Warzone/The Drive: Here's Why Patriot Missiles Weren't Protecting US Troops In Iraq And Why They Still Aren't
Iraq is holding up the plan, but it's also hard to understand how the US military didn't fix this defensive gap earlier given the known threats.
The U.S. military wants to send Patriot surface-to-air missile units to Iraq in the wake of unprecedented Iranian ballistic missile strikes aimed at American forces in the country earlier this month, which the Pentagon now says caused dozens of injuries in addition to significant damage to facilities at Al Asad Air Base. However, the U.S. government still needs permission from authorities in Iraq to do so, approval that has so far not been forthcoming, something The War Zone's Tyler Rogoway had raised as a likely issue immediately following Iran's strikes. Discussions regarding the potential deployment of the air defense are ongoing, but come amid attempts by certain Iraqi factions to secure the withdrawal of all U.S. troops from the country.
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More News On The Pentagon Waiting Iraqi Permission To Deploy Patriot Missile Defenses To Protect U.S. Troops
Pentagon seeking Iraqi permission to deploy missile defenses -- AP
U.S. seeks Iraqi nod to bring in air defenses after Iran attack -- Reuters
US awaits Iraq's okay to deploy Patriots to protect troops -- AFP
Pentagon still ’working on’ deploying Patriot missiles to Iraq, admits Baghdad’s ‘permission’ hasn’t been granted -- RT
Here’s why Patriot missile defense systems aren’t in Iraq yet -- Military Times
