The Dominican Republic might follow Spain and Honduras in pulling its troops out of Iraq early despite a one-year commitment to the U.S.-led military force, the president said Tuesday. President Hipolito Mejia's announcement came just two days after he pledged to keep the Caribbean country's 302 troops in place through July, as promised.
| More Spanish "diplomacy" at work. |
The Dominicans have been serving with 370 Honduran troops under a Spanish-led brigade policing Iraq's al-Qadisiya and Najaf provinces since August. Mejia said it was Honduras' decision to withdraw, based on concerns about security without the Spanish presence, that prompted him to reconsider. Without the Spanish in command, it was unclear how the Dominicans would be operating. The president said he would consult with Dominican military and government officials before making a final decision. "It's not something that can be determined overnight." Many Dominicans have criticized Mejia's support of the war, particularly over the past two weeks: Dominican troops have been attacked more than a dozen times, though none have been reported injured. Opposition party candidates have derided Mejia's participation in Iraq ahead of May 16 elections. The president is seeking re-election. |