1,300 Iraqi troops, police dismissed

Yahoo-AP ^ | April 14, 2008 | Slobodan Lekic

[awake-n-angry]

BAGHDAD - Iraq's government moved Sunday to restore discipline within the ranks of the security forces, sacking more than 1,300 soldiers and policemen who deserted during recent fighting against Shiite militias in Basra.

At the same time, Iraq's Cabinet ratcheted up the pressure on anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr by approving draft legislation barring political parties with militias from participating in upcoming provincial elections.

[1035rep]

Because he/she can’t back up the earlier claim of “40% attrition rate”

[cake_crumb]

"At the same time, Iraq's Cabinet ratcheted up the pressure on anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr by approving draft legislation barring political parties with militias from participating in upcoming provincial elections."

At least it's a step in the right direction.

[RDTF]

you will always be accused of having no credibiity here on FR without providing a link. Get used to it if you plan to stick around.

[sam_paine]

We seem to have no sincere partner in democratization of Iraq America as the government is composed of selfish little warlords who reign over feifdoms that see us (voters) as patsys to shed blood money in taxes while they concetrate and weild power over a divided nation.

[MarkeyD]

Are the 1300 moving to Canada?

[CharlesWayneCT]

The Basra uprising was “ended” when one side stopped fighting, and the other side took over the city.

And yes, in a war, if you are smart enough to surrender, you DO get to live. And often that means your troops do get to fight and die another day, if they were not captured before the surrender.

[sam_paine]

The dismissals are a good thing. They are a sign of confidence that the Iraqi Army is politically strong enough to project its power on the South and to uphold loyalty standards there.

Now, these deserters/rejects would naturally want to have employment, so they would want to join up with the militia in past conflicts. This time, though, does Sadr have the $$$ and organization to provide for these 1300 dingbats?

If the Iraqi Army has the org and cash, then what was it OBL said, "People will naturally choose the strong horse?"

[statered]

The Iraqi's are standing up. They are making political progress. Just not fast enough for you. I am making the argument that if you put it in historical context they are doing amazingly well. When you put it in the fast food, gratification on demand modern American context it is way too slow. I don't think you are being reasonable.

[Blood of Tyrants]

The problem with the army and police is that the people are not being vetted very well. When you have over 1000 people who abandon their positions or go to fight for the enemy, you have a huge problem. Desertion should be a capitol offense.

[M203M4]

American troops could start coming home under only two scenarios: things get very bad, or things get very good. I say we cheer for the latter.

It would not have been my choice to ask thousands of America's best to endure injury, maiming, and death in the first place. But there is nothing to be gained by pursuing this point. The strategic interests of America are now best served by endowing Iraqis with the capability of standing on their own - ideally long enough to give Iraqis a shot at something resembling western civilization (with at least a few trappings of liberty), but, minimally, long enough for America to get out and wash its hands. While military victory was achieved long ago, we have some distance to go on the former point.

Not to paint myself as an optimist, but I hope the proponents of Wilsonianism have learned a valuable lesson about throw-back cultures, third-world democracy, and tribalism. Again.

[awake-n-angry]

One trader is enough to bring down an operation. 1,300 represents 40% of the operation in Basra that Maliki undertook in opposition to American recommendations. Small percentage of the overall but a large percentage of the force that went into Basra.

[ARE SOLE]

The Iraqi government is not standing up, has little incentive to unite the nation and we are stuck in the middle.

What a whiner, go back to sleep.

[G8 Diplomat]

hat’s off to the Iraqi gov.

I second that! I wish I could say that about our own government....

[Rebelbase]

1300 new terrorists with military training and knowledge of Iraqi Army tactics.

[demshateGod]

“....anti-American Shiite cleric...”

Does that line really mean anything anymore? Or should I say, does it have the propagandizing affect the AP thinks it does?

[death2tyrants]

” The point of previous potings is...”

To spread defeatism with ficticous claims....

You’ve already demonstrated that you are a worthless troll who is unwilling to support your ficticous claims that you use to denigrate our efforts in Iraq.

[Gondring]

True...with the rate of desertion seen for this group, it means that country-wide, they have weeded out only a tiny portion of the disloyal troops and police.

[awake-n-angry]

You sir are an idiot and an ass. I am not calling you names, rather I am identifying you as having satisfied the objective definition of both “ass” and idiot. If a person is driving down the road and sees a tree and says, “tree” then that person is not calling the object a tree, he is simply identifying a tree. In that line, I identify you as an ass and an idiot.

We have won the war in Iraq. We defeated the Iraqi military hands down. We wiped the floor with Saddam in record time and are all to proud of our military from the highest ranking officer to every buck private. Kudos, blessings and thanks upon each and every one. Condolences to those who have lost loved ones and compassion for those who have returned injured.

The complaint is not at all with any of OUR efforts. WE have performed professionally, and with integrity. WE have practically no allies in Iraq who share our interests. If you want to pretend that conditions are different, you are free to do so, but daily and for years the facts have worked against your rose-colored beliefs.

[ChinaThreat]

I agree with your sentiments. And to boot, they found that CBS reporter today. A great morale booster for the ISF.

[JerseyDvl]

Hello and welcome to FR.
Your short stay here combined with un-attributed posts is what draws the ire of FReepers.
This thread you started would be a HUGE hit over in DUmmieland.