Retired US Lieutenant General: Washington failed Iraq policy

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Tehran has more influence on Baghdad than Washington does, said a retired US Army Lieutenant General on Tuesday.

In an interview with Kurdistan24, former US Army Lieutenant General Michael Barbero stated that the current situation in Baghdad does not contribute to the fight against the extremists.

“I saw the beginnings of these demonstrations and the political crisis that now engulfs Baghdad,” Lt. Gen. Barbero stated.

“The last few days, we have seen the demonstration and occupation of the Iraqi parliament building by the demonstrators. It is not hopeful,” He added.

Barbero believes internal conflict is not in the interest of Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region as both are fighting and defeating the Islamic State (IS) now. He highlighted two main points with the current situation in the country.

“First, the current chaos sends a signal to all people in Iraq and outside as well as IS that the country is not organized. This is very harmful to the fight against IS,” he added

“Secondly, the current situation in Iraq shows the failure of the United States policy in the country,” Barbero emphasized.

He believes the current US Ambassador Stuart Jones in Baghdad is qualified for the position, but the central policies from Washington have led the US diplomats in Baghdad to have little influence on the Federal Government of Iraq.

“Today, Iran has more influence over Baghdad’s government than Washington does. It is a sad truth,” Barbero noted.

Reporting by Mewan Dolamari
Editing by Ava Homa and Karzan Sulaivany
(Kurdistan24 team in Washington conducted the interview)