Iraq fires 1,300 soldiers and policemen for refusing to kill their fellow citizens

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080413.wiraq0413/BNStory/International/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20080413.wiraq0413

Associated Press

April 13, 2008 at 9:15 AM EDT

BAGHDAD — The Iraqi government has dismissed about 1,300 soldiers and policemen who deserted or refused to fight during last month's offensive against Shiite militias and criminal gangs in Basra, officials said Sunday.

Interior Ministry spokesman Major-General Abdul-Karim Khalaf said 921 police and soldiers were fired in Basra. They included 37 senior police officers ranging in rank from lieutenant colonel to brigadier general.

The others were dismissed in Kut, one of the Shiite cities where the fight had spread. snip

“Some of them were sympathetic with these lawbreakers, some refused to (go into) battle for political or national or sectarian or religious reasons,” Maj.-Gen. Khalaf said.

[YDogg]

1. So ... the Iraqi soldiers are not standing up?

:shrug:

[Squatch]

2. I s'pose that's one way to spin it.

:eyes:

[Arctic Dave]

3. Kill your your fellow countrymen because they

don't have the same business interest as you. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that. Why is it that the US military sees no problem with other countries killing their own people for OUR benefit. Makes you wonder what the military would do in our country if given the opportunity.

[NNN0LHI]

4. Google Kent State

[Echo In Light]

5. Damn liberals, anyway

[Arctic Dave]

6. Oh Yeah. I forgot about that one.

Just imagine what they would do with all their new toys.

[scarletwoman]

7. Brilliant! I'm sure the Mahdi army will be glad for all the new recruits!

Maliki is a sleaze of the first order. Good for those honorable Iraqi soldiers and police who refused to kill their brothers for the corrupt puppet Maliki's political and financial benefit.

sw