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RELIGION

Iraq, US in talks to keep American troop presence after IS

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    FILE - In this April 17, 2017 file photo, U.S. soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division fire artillery in support of Iraqi forces fighting Islamic State militants from their base east of Mosul. The U.S. and Iraq are in talks to keeping American troops in the country after the fight against the Islamic State group is concluded, according to a U.S. official and an official from the Iraqi government. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File) (The Associated Press)

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    FILE - In this Monday, April 17, 2017 file photo, U.S. soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division lift weights on their base east of Mosul. The U.S. and Iraq are in talks to keeping American troops in the country after the fight against the Islamic State group is concluded, according to a U.S. official and an official from the Iraqi government. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File) (The Associated Press)

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    FILE - In this April 17, 2017 file photo, U.S. soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division fire artillery in support of Iraqi forces fighting Islamic State militants from their base east of Mosul. The U.S. and Iraq are in talks to keeping American troops in the country after the fight against the Islamic State group is concluded, according to a U.S. official and an official from the Iraqi government. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File) (The Associated Press)

BAGHDAD – A U.S. and an Iraqi government official say Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi is in talks with the Trump administration to keep American troops in Iraq after the fight against the Islamic State group in the country is concluded.

The officials emphasize the discussions are ongoing. But the talks point to a consensus by both governments that, in contrast to the U.S. withdrawal in 2011, a longer-term presence of American troops in Iraq is needed to ensure Iraq's security.

Both officials spoke this week to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

Iraqi forces are struggling to push IS fighters out of a cluster of neighborhoods in the western part of Mosul that mark the last patch of significant urban terrain the group holds in the country.