Iraq says foreign combat troops to leave in 15 days

By Ali Jawad

BAGHDAD (AA) – Foreign combat forces will leave Iraq within 15 days, the Iraqi military said on Wednesday.

Major General Tahsin al-Khafaji, spokesman for the Joint Operations Command, told the state news agency that the departure of the foreign forces was underway as scheduled.

He, however, said that a limited foreign presence will remain at the Ain al-Assad military base.

"Most of the combat forces left Iraq, and only advisers and those working in the field of intelligence, reconnaissance and training remained,” al-Khafaji added.

The Iraqi spokesman said there is "a schedule for handing over weapons and equipment to the combat forces."

On Friday, the Iraqi Resistance Coordination Committee, an umbrella of all Iranian-backed Iraqi militias, said there was no sign of US troop withdrawal from Iraq.

In July, Iraq and the US agreed to withdraw all US combat troops from Iraq by the end of this year.

* Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara