Iraqi army units being sent to Baghdad already deserting

[Thorgrim]

SULAIMANIYAH, Iraq - As the Iraqi government attempts to secure a capital city ravaged by conflict between Sunni and Shiite Muslim Arabs, its decision to bring a third party into the mix may cause more problems than peace.

Kurdish soldiers from northern Iraq, who are mostly Sunnis but not Arabs, are deserting the army to avoid the civil war in Baghdad, a conflict they consider someone else's problem

In interviews, however, soldiers in Sulaimaniyah expressed loyalty to their Kurdish brethren, not to Iraq. Many said they'd already deserted, and those who are going to Baghdad said they'd flee if the situation there became too difficult.

McClatchy Washington Bureau | 01/19/2007 | Kurdish Iraqi soldiers are deserting to avoid the conflict in Baghdad

What do you think about the "other Iraq" now, or a better question would be, the one group we consider our "good friends" who were supposedly so grateful we liberated from Saddam that...they don't want to help us in Baghdad

Also, what do think this means for the entire operation, it looks as though the same sentiments should be spread across the Iraqi army, loyalty to milita rather than state, Sunnis will reject focusing their strikes on troubled Sunni districts and Shia will hate assaults on Sadr City, who knows maybe the Iraqi army will end up fighting each other in Baghdad, and they're supposed to have the "lead"

In general, how do you feel about Iraqi soldier loyalty in this upcoming Battle for Baghdad part 4, and what does this article make you think differently?

[avsp]

Originally Posted by Thorgrim

Also, what do think this means for the entire operation, it looks as though the same sentiments should be spread across the Iraqi army, loyalty to milita rather than state, Sunnis will reject focusing their strikes on troubled Sunni districts and Shia will hate assaults on Sadr City, who knows maybe the Iraqi army will end up fighting each other in Baghdad, and they're supposed to have the "lead"

IIRR Kagan, (seemingly the 'archetect' of the Surge policy, or at least its 'front-man'), has explictly stated that assaults on Sadr City were ruled out, ..., at least initially
Capital Reach - Windows Media Player

BTW guess which well known think-tank Kagan was in? (Hint: it begins with a 'P' & ends with a 'C'). He was nevertheless fiercely critical of the execution of policy in Iraq


More generally it could be argued that its a good thing for Kurds to refuse to impose order on non-Kurds.

I'm pleased & surprised that Malakhi seems to be honouring his commitment to go after all law-breakers regardless of their sectarian alignment

The prospect of fully embedded Coalition-Iraqi units must be scary for Coalition troops, (as suggested in another Thorgrim thread).

It is probably the best way to root out the disloyal tho, ..., assuming that they are in the minority that is.