US Sets Up 2 New Bases in Western Iraq

The Arabic-language al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Saturday that the US forces have built up the first base on Baghdad-Damascus international road, formerly known as H3, while a second military center have been established to the South of the first base and South of the Baghdad-Amman international road, in addition to 13 other US bases spread across the country.

It noted that the first base has practically started operation, but the second one is being equipped, adding that the Americans have also set up two other new bases in al-Ratbah region which might be intended to serve as new air bases.

Reports about establishment of new bases in the region come as different political groups in Iraq are endeavoring to approve a bill in the parliament to expel the foreign forces from the country.

Meantime, sources said that Washington is trying to gain control of Baghdad-Damascus and Baghdad-Amman international roads and the large amount of gas resources in the region in addition to monitoring the resistance pivot consisting of Tehran, Baghdad, Damascus and Beirut.

Relevant reports said earlier this month that Washington intended to set up a large military base equipped with advanced weapons near the triangle of Iraq-Syria-Jordan, Iraqi sources said, referring to the deployment of a US military convoy, sent from Jordan, in Iraq.

The Arabic-language al-Ma'aloumeh news agency quoted an informed source in al-Anbar province as saying that the US forces want to establish a permanent military base near the Syrian-Iraqi-Jordanian triangle in the Western parts of al-Anbar in Iraq.

He added that a military convoy of vehicles, carrying weapons and equipment, had been transferred to Iraq from Jordan, noting that the US wanted to set up a large military base equipped with state-of-the-art equipment in the region.

The US is attempting to increase the number of its military bases in Iraq as calls are growing to expel the American forces from the country.

Message end/