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Pentagon

Pentagon Working On Iraq’s Permission To Deploy Patriot Defense System To The Region

By Matthew Beinart

Thursday, January 30th, 2020

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Pentagon Working On Iraq’s Permission To Deploy Patriot Defense System To The Region

Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, hold a press briefing at the Pentagon on October 28, 2019. Photo: Matthew Beinart.

Senior Pentagon officials on Thursday said the department is working to receive the Iraqi government’s permission before deploying a Patriot missile defense system to the region. Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Army Gen. Mark Milley, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters they believe a Patriot battery is still required to protect U.S. troops in the wake of Iran’s recent missile attack on the al-Asad air base in Iraq. “We need the permission of the Iraqis. That’s…

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