The State Department, the Pentagon, is preparing to cut $ 250 million in military aid for Iraq if it expels 5,300 US troops.

According to emails exchanged for military assistance between the State Department and the US Department of Defense that the Wall Street Journal acquired on January 14, the State Department's Near East Affairs Department is working to cut the entire $ 250 million. aid under the US foreign military financial program for Iraq in the current fiscal year.

The bureau also plans to ask the White House's Office of Management and Budget to consider whether it could eliminate $ 100 million in requests for fiscal 2021, citing the current situation. "This does not rule out parliamentary consideration of foreign assistance if the situation changes in Iraq," one of the emails said.

The emails confirm no final decision has been made, but senior government officials have ordered a review of what funds can be maintained or reallocated in case Iraq asks the US military. withdraw from the territory. One of the emails said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo directed that foreign military financial funds by 2020 be reused or used elsewhere.

A State Department official said the United States is constantly reviewing support to ensure that it is aligned with the policy goals and makes best use of taxpayer dollars. The official added that there are currently no changes to US support.

Following a rocket attack that killed a contractor and wounded several U.S. servicemen in northern Iraq in December, Trump ordered the killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani during an air strike at Baghdad airport. A few days later, the Iraqi parliament voted to pass a resolution to end the presence of foreign military forces in Iraq, including the US military. This resolution will only take effect if approved by the Iraqi cabinet.

About 5,300 US servicemen and hundreds of international partners remain in Iraq. In response to the Iraqi threat, Trump threatened to impose unprecedented economic sanctions and would demand Baghdad pay billions of dollars to US air bases there.