Hashemi said that while "everyone was busy discussing the message of the American forces to the Iraqi joint command about their' withdrawal," he was one of the few that pointed out this was merely fake news (actually, so were we, as the report came just moments after our article about the deployment of another 2,500 marines).

"During that period, several American convoys entered the Taiji camp, north of Baghdad, and cargo planes landed with additional equipment," he said.

The mass confusion started with the inexplicable publication of a draft letter from Marine Corps Brig. Gen. William H. Seely III, obtained by AFP, explaining how the US was rapidly pulling out of Iraq. The letter, which was never supposed to be sent out, detailed how "there will be an increase in helicopter travel in and around the International Zone (IZ) of Baghdad. This increased traffic will include CH47, VH-00, and AH-64 security escort helicopters."