U.S. defense secretary in Iraq to discuss troops leaving Syria

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper arrived in Baghdad on Wednesday as Iraqi leaders chafed over reports that the U.S. may want to increase the number of troops based in Iraq, at least temporarily.

Esper's meetings Wednesday at the Iraqi Defense Ministry came a day after Iraq's military said American troops leaving northeastern Syria don't have permission to stay in Iraq.

He later added that the troops would be there temporarily until they are able to go home, but no time period has been set. Esper said Wednesday that the U.S. has no plans to leave those troops in Iraq "interminably" and that he plans to talk with Iraqi leaders about the matter.