Iraqi government uses text messages to ask citizens about deployment of US-led coalition

BAGHDAD

The Iraqi government has turned to surveys to ask citizens about their views on the continued deployment of the US-led coalition against the Daesh/ISIS terrorist group.

Several citizens have received short messages asking whether they support or oppose the deployment of the US-led coalition in Iraq.

The move came days after a senior leader in the pro-government Hashd al-Shaabi military group was killed in a coalition airstrike in Baghdad.

On Friday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani formed a committee to arrange an end to the presence of US-led coalition forces in Iraq.

Last week, the Pentagon denied plans to pull out its forces from Iraq.

There are around 3,000 troops, including 2,500 US forces, fighting in the anti-Daesh/ISIS coalition in Iraq.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara