The US-led coalition is working to establish a permanent military base in southwestern Iraq, near the country’s border with both Syria and Jordan, the Iraqi al-Maalomah news outlet reported on February 13 citing a source in the province of al-Anbar.
“Vehicles loaded with military equipment came from Jordan to Iraq to establish a fixed American military base to observe these areas,” the source said.
According to the source, U.S. forces are already moving freely in the triangle between Syrian, Iraq and Jordan. However, they are now planning to establish a permanent base equipped with advanced surveillance systems.
The US-led coalition has been trying to expand its military presence in western Iraq, especially near the border with Syria, since last year. In November, a commander of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) revealed that the coalition is trying to occupy the H3 airbase, known as Abu Rida al-Baldaui, in western al-Anbar.
This recent expansion of U.S. forces in western Iraq along border with Syria can be linked to President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw troops from Syria. Earlier this month, Trump openly said that his country is planning to stay in Iraq in order to “watch” Iran’s actions in the region.