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1,000 Iraqis Deserted Basra Battle

Officers and men fled or balked as government battled militias

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 4, 2008 5:00 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Desertions from Iraqi forces during last week's Basra battles have raised fresh doubts about the effectiveness of the country's US-trained security forces, the New York Times reports. Over 1,000 soldiers and policemen—including dozens of officers—either deserted or refused to fight. The US has linked American troop withdrawals to the readiness of Iraqi forces to take charge.

An American official played down the desertions, saying many were simply fresh recruits not ready for battle and it was not a "major issue." Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki vowed  the government would be tough on deserters. “Joining the army or police is not a trip or a picnic," he said. “They swore on the Koran that they would not support their sect or their party, but they were lying.” 

Mahdi Army fighters drive away with captured Iraqi armored police vehicles outside a state run al-Iraqiya TV facility in Basra, Iraq, Sunday, March 30, 2008.
Mahdi Army fighters drive away with captured Iraqi armored police vehicles outside a state run al-Iraqiya TV facility in Basra, Iraq, Sunday, March 30, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Iraqi children stand on top of a destroyed Iraqi Army's vehicle in Basra some 550 kilometers (about 340 miles) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, April 2, 2008.
Iraqi children stand on top of a destroyed Iraqi Army's vehicle in Basra some 550 kilometers (about 340 miles) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, April 2, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Iraqi soldiers secure a street in a show of force in a militia stronghold that has seen some of the fiercest fighting in the Basra, April 2, 2008.
Iraqi soldiers secure a street in a show of force in a militia stronghold that has seen some of the fiercest fighting in the Basra, April 2, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Iraqi army applicants wait outside the army's recruitment center in Basra some 550 kilometers (about 340 miles) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, April 1, 2008.
Iraqi army applicants wait outside the army's recruitment center in Basra some 550 kilometers (about 340 miles) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, April 1, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Mahdi Army fighters gesture as they stand next to a burning Iraq armored police vehicle outside a state run al-Iraqiya TV facility in Basra, Iraq, Sunday, March 30, 2008.
Mahdi Army fighters gesture as they stand next to a burning Iraq armored police vehicle outside a state run al-Iraqiya TV facility in Basra, Iraq, Sunday, March 30, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Mahdi Army fighters take positions in Basra, Iraq, Friday, March 28, 2008.
Mahdi Army fighters take positions in Basra, Iraq, Friday, March 28, 2008.   (AP Photo)
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Iraq • Nouri al-Maliki • Basra • troop withdrawal • Shiite militia • Iraqi security forces • Iraq Army • Iraq police • Sadrists • desertion

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