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U.S.-Led Coalition Suspends Operations Against Islamic State

The U.S.-led joint task force against Islamic State has suspended operations against the terror group in Iraq.

U.S.-Led Coalition Suspends Operations Against Islamic State
File Photo: Iraqi security forces stand guard as smoke rises from the U.S. embassy compound in Baghdad, Iraq. (Source: PTI)

(Bloomberg) -- The U.S.-led joint task force against Islamic State has suspended operations against the terror group in Iraq to focus on protecting bases that have recently come under attack.

“Our first priority is protecting all coalition personnel committed to the defeat” of Islamic State, according to an emailed statement.

Iraq’s parliament Sunday asked the government to end the presence of U.S. troops in the country, and Iranian allies have vowed to attack American soldiers and bases across the region to avenge the assassination of a top Iranian general last week.

“We remain resolute as partners of the government of Iraq and the Iraqi people that have welcomed us into their country to help defeat ISIS,” the joint task force said in the statement.

To contact the reporter on this story: Colin Keatinge in London at ckeatinge@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Sunil Kesur at skesur@bloomberg.net, Sara Marley, Andrew Davis

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