Mike Pence visits troops in Iraq

US Vice President Mike Pence flew in to Iraq yesterday to meet American troops stationed in the country's western desert, a security source told AFP. Pence's unannounced landing at Ain al-Asad base -- his first visit to Iraq as vice president -- came nearly a year after President Donald Trump made his own surprise trip to the sprawling complex. No schedule has been announced for Pence's visit. The US has 5,200 troops stationed in Iraqi bases across the country.