Skip to main content

Intel: Why Iraqi Kurdistan may be wary of hosting US troops

Torn between Iran and the United States, former Iraqi Kurdistan President Masoud Barzani appeared to distance himself on Tuesday from Republican proposals to station US troops in Kurdish territory should Baghdad move forward with threats to expel the Americans in the aftermath of Washington’s assassination of Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani.
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence delivers remarks to U.S. troops at a U.S. military facility at Erbil International Airport in Erbil, Iraq November 23, 2019. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC22HD9OIH8O

Torn between Iran and the United States, former Iraqi Kurdistan President Masoud Barzani appeared to distance himself on Tuesday from Republican proposals to station US troops in Kurdish territory should Baghdad move forward with threats to expel the Americans in the aftermath of Washington’s assassination of Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani.

“If the process of resolving the current issue in the Middle East region is in accordance to a path of reason and wisdom, we are certainly ready to cooperate,” Barzani tweeted. “However, we cannot be involved in any proxy wars.”

Why it matters: After the Iraqi Parliament voted Sunday to expel US forces and all other foreign troops in the country, Republican lawmakers in Washington began floating Iraqi Kurdistan as a future location to station American troops.

“There remains an option that our presence in what is currently Iraq would be at the behest of the Kurds,” Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., told reporters on Monday. “In the end, I don’t think it’s going to come to that because I think the Sunnis — and especially the Kurds — would want us to stay even if it’s in the northern part of the country at their invitation.”

While the Kurdistan Regional Government may be open to hosting US troops in exchange for Washington’s recognition of it as an independent Kurdish state, Barzani’s tweet is indicative of the tightrope he must walk as Tehran and Washington compete for influence over the autonomous Iraqi territory. 

What’s next: President Donald Trump vowed on Wednesday to respond to the Iranian missile attacks on US forces with sanctions but stopped short of announcing military retaliation. Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke briefly after Tuesday’s missile attacks and “agreed to stay in close touch as the situation develops,” according to a State Department readout of the call.

It also remains unclear whether Baghdad will actually move forward with threats to expel US forces from the country amid questions over the extent of caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi’s powers.

Know more: Al-Monitor’s senior correspondent Amberin Zaman has the inside story on the Kurdistan Regional Government’s deliberations over whether it would be open to hosting US forces.

Join hundreds of Middle East professionals with Al-Monitor PRO.

Business and policy professionals use PRO to monitor the regional economy and improve their reports, memos and presentations. Try it for free and cancel anytime.

Already a Member? Sign in

Free

The Middle East's Best Newsletters

Join over 50,000 readers who access our journalists dedicated newsletters, covering the top political, security, business and tech issues across the region each week.
Delivered straight to your inbox.

Free

What's included:
Our Expertise

Free newsletters available:

  • The Takeaway & Week in Review
  • Middle East Minute (AM)
  • Daily Briefing (PM)
  • Business & Tech Briefing
  • Security Briefing
  • Gulf Briefing
  • Israel Briefing
  • Palestine Briefing
  • Turkey Briefing
  • Iraq Briefing
Expert

Premium Membership

Join the Middle East's most notable experts for premium memos, trend reports, live video Q&A, and intimate in-person events, each detailing exclusive insights on business and geopolitical trends shaping the region.

$25.00 / month
billed annually

Become Member Start with 1-week free trial
What's included:
Our Expertise AI-driven

Memos - premium analytical writing: actionable insights on markets and geopolitics.

Live Video Q&A - Hear from our top journalists and regional experts.

Special Events - Intimate in-person events with business & political VIPs.

Trend Reports - Deep dive analysis on market updates.

Text Alerts - Be the first to get breaking news, exclusives, and PRO content.

All premium Industry Newsletters - Monitor the Middle East's most important industries. Prioritize your target industries for weekly review:

  • Capital Markets & Private Equity
  • Venture Capital & Startups
  • Green Energy
  • Supply Chain
  • Sustainable Development
  • Leading Edge Technology
  • Oil & Gas
  • Real Estate & Construction
  • Banking

We also offer team plans. Please send an email to pro.support@al-monitor.com and we'll onboard your team.

Already a Member? Sign in

Start your PRO membership today.

Join the Middle East's top business and policy professionals to access exclusive PRO insights today.

Join Al-Monitor PRO Start with 1-week free trial