The New Arab Newspaper reported that US troops are expanding the Al-Harir base in Iraqi Kurdistan.

The publication, citing Iraqi sources, writes that this process has been going on for about two months. The Iraqi defense intelligence officer also told the New Arab that the expansion of the base includes the construction of underground shelters and several warehouses

He also noted that the military base has recently become the control center for US operations in neighboring areas of northern Syria, which are controlled by Kurdish militias.

An Iraqi Defense Ministry military intelligence officer also told the newspaper that development of al-Harir base includes the construction of underground shelters and several warehouses.

The officer further noted the military base has recently become the US operations command and control center in neighboring areas of Northern Syria, which are controlled by the Kurdish militias known as the Syrian Democratic Forces.

The move is despite the decision of the Iraqi parliament to withdraw foreign troops from the country.

Late last month, Iraqi parliamentarians served fiery responses to a decision coming out of Washington to review the previous US administration’s plan to draw down the number of American forces in the country.

The US’s new Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated during his confirmation hearing last week that he was to reexamine the plan announced by the administration of former President Donald Trump for reducing the number of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan each to 2,500.

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