"ISIS still exists, and I was surprised to learn that the United States could withdraw its forces from Iraq, which is dangerous," Le Drian told LCI television, according to Kurdistan 24 TV.

US acting Secretary of Defense Christopher C. Miller announced last Tuesday that the number of US troops in Iraq would be reduced to 2,500 by January 15.

Following Miller's remarks, US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien also said that Donald Trump expects to withdraw US troops from Iraq and Afghanistan by May 2021.

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