Urgent Call to Eradicate 'Ghost Soldiers' in Iraqi Armed Forces
The letter emphasizes that the continuation of this phenomenon, where soldiers are absent from duty or neglect their responsibilities in exchange for payment, poses a serious threat to the integrity and reputation of the Iraqi military.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - In a confidential letter to the General Command of the Iraqi Armed Forces and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Defense has issued a stark warning about the persistent issue of "ghost soldiers" within the military.
The letter emphasizes that the continuation of this phenomenon, where soldiers are absent from duty or neglect their responsibilities in exchange for payment, poses a serious threat to the integrity and reputation of the Iraqi military.
The Secretary General highlights that this practice, prevalent across various commands within the Ministry of Defense, burdens other soldiers who are forced to work double shifts to compensate for their absent colleagues.
This has a detrimental effect on the overall efficiency and capabilities of the armed forces.
The letter calls for immediate and decisive action to combat this problem, including the forceful removal from military service of those involved and the initiation of legal proceedings against them.
The Secretary General stresses that eradicating this phenomenon is crucial for restoring the prestige and credibility of the military institution.
This revelation underscores the ongoing challenges facing the Iraqi military as it seeks to rebuild and reform in the wake of years of conflict and instability.
It remains to be seen how the government and military leadership will respond to this urgent call for action.
