Iraq’s prime minister says US troops no longer needed to fight Islamic terrorists

​Iraq’s prime minister said US combat troops are no longer needed to fight Islamic State terrorists in the country and said a timetable for their redeployment will be part of discussions with Biden administration officials this week. 

​​“There is no need for any foreign combat forces on Iraqi soil,” said ​Mustafa ​al-Kadhimi​ told the Associated Press, adding that Iraq’s security forces and army are up to the task of defending the country.  He said any withdrawal of US forces would be based on the needs of Iraqi troops, which in the past year have carried out independent missions against the terror group.