Iraqi Government Dismisses 1,300 Soldiers

NEWS: AP -
Iraqi Government Dismisses 1,300 Soldiers,Policemen After Basra Fiasco

13 APR 08, 1600,

EXSUM: Operations in Basra have cause challenges forIraq's military and police force. Maj. Gen. Abdul-Karim Khalaf said 421 Iraqi police and 500 Iraqi soldiers were fired from their positions in Basra. The members failed to return to duty in Basra and will be tried in military courts. General Khalaf said those that can prove they were prevented from returning will be reinstated. In addition 400 local police were fired in Kut for refusing orders to combat. Unidentified Iraqi government officials reportedly have said that about 1,000 members of the security forces - including an entire infantry battalion -mutinied and in some cases handed over vehicles and weapons to the militias.Iraqi government dismisses 1,300 soldiers and policemen after BasraFiasco,

By Bushra Juhi, AP Writer

My two cents- yes, folks deserting is a bad thing, but the numbers beat the pants (not to be mistaken with the "Status of Pants" posting) off the Fallujah experience a few years ago when you look at the overall numbers of folks the Iraqis put into the fight- so progress there. And now the AWOLs and mutiny types are being held accountable (kind of)- extraordinary- I'm very impressed by this accountability process given what I've seen over this past year.