Photo: Kurdistan 24
US forces are reportedly setting up a military base in the area of Iraq’s Sinjar Mount, near the Syrian-Iraqi border.
“15 military vehicles of US troops arrived on top of Mount Shingal and stationed themselves near Mira peak on the mountain,” Kurdistan 24 reported citing Jalal Khalo, Deputy Mayjor of Sinjar.
District Governor Mahma Khalil told Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency that the US is preparing to establish a military base on the mountain.
In turn, Iraqi Maj. Gen. Najim al-Jubouri told Asharq al-Awsat newspaper that US forces’ role is limited to providing Iraqi troops with military advise.
“US advisers are in Mosul, Qayyarah, and other parts of the Nineveh Province. They had told us that we should take precautionary measures at the border,” al-Jubouri said. “The involvement of the US military in supporting Iraqi forces in securing the border does not go beyond its scope, which is to provide military advice.”
While al-Jubouri is likely right that US forces are not establishing a fully fledged military base in the area, US troops may set up a military garrison in the area.
A similar garrison is established in the area of At Tanf, on the Syrian side of the border. Such garrisons are established to keep control of the Syrian-Iraqi border and to monitor possible land supples from Iran to Syria and Lebanon.
