Trump says US strikes on Hashd al-Shaabi posts coordinated with Iraq government

BAGHDAD, Iraq — U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that American forces struck Hashd al-Saabi positions in Iraq in coordination with the Iraqi government, and that U.S. operations against such targets on Iraqi soil would continue under that arrangement. In his remarks, Trump said the Iraqi government had asked to limit its military presence outside Hashd al-Saabi control and had called for the disarming of all armed groups in the country. He described continued U.S. military presence in Iraq as essential to regional stability. The statement comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Iran-backed factions in Iraq. An independent confirmation of the Iraqi government's position on the claimed coordination was not immediately available. White House sources cited by reporting indicated that U.S. coordination of this kind relies on operational, real-time contacts rather than written agreements.