Iraq-Namese Authorities Fire 1,300 Soldiers and Cops

While the Battle of Basra was raging, several soldiers and police under the authority of the Green Zone Government failed to fight against the Madhi Army. As a result, 1,300 have been fired and face courts martial. The government is making arrests for “showing solidarity with outlaws.” Clearly, the military training the Americans have provided is not translating into unquestioning support for the al-Maliki government.

Tina Susman of the Los Angeles Times wrote, “US and Iraqi officials have said that police officers were most likely to have gone AWOL because of pressure they faced in their own neighborhoods. They said this was especially true in militia-heavy areas such as Sadr City, the Baghdad stronghold of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada Sadr and his Mahdi Army militia. Unlike soldiers, police report for duty in the districts where they live.”

She added, “Three days after the offensive began, Salman Freiji, the chief of the Sadr organization in Sadr City, greeted about 40 men who said they were police and soldiers. The men, wearing dark glasses and masks, told journalists accompanying them that they would not fight fellow Shiites and wanted to give their weapons to Sadr. Video and photographs from journalists showed Freiji giving the men olive branches and Korans in return.”

Although most of the deserters were younger recruits who had recently completed training, 37 police officers of rank also went AWOL. At least, one held the rank of brigadier. A man in such a position can do immense harm, and one has to wonder just how big the fifth column in the Iraq-Namese military is.

According to Slobodon Lekic of the Associated Press, “During the attack more than 1,000 security troops — including a full infantry battalion — refused to fight or joined the militias, handing them weapons and vehicles.” An infantry battalion ranges from 500 to 1,500 men depending on usage and whether the unit is at full strength. Even at just 500, an entire unit of this size not obeying orders could lead to a crippling defeat on the battlefield.

Mr. Bush famously said, “As the Iraqis stand up, America can stand down.” Some of the Iraq-Namese are standing up, but one wonders quite what they are standing up for? Clearly, it isn’t to die for the al-Maliki government.

© Copyright 2008 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.

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