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US questions whether Iraq can boot American troops

After Iraq's parliament urged US troops to leave the country Sunday, the White House and some Iraqi lawmakers are raising questions about whether Iraq's caretaker prime minister has the authority to kick out US forces.
A U.S. Army soldier from 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Task Force-Iraq, mans an observation post at Forward Operating Base Union III in Baghdad, Iraq, December 31, 2019. U.S. Army/Maj. Charlie Dietz/Task Force-Iraq Public Affairs/Handout via REUTERS.  THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RC2P6E92P5WW

The Donald Trump administration and Iraqi lawmakers are raising questions about whether Baghdad’s caretaker prime minister has the authority to kick out US forces after parliament urged American troops to leave in a vote this weekend.

Iraqi caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, who resigned in November amid anti-government protests, backed the parliamentary vote that urged Iraq to expel 5,200 US troops who are in the country to fight the Islamic State (IS).

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