Analysis: Why the Iraqi army keeps failing

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Iraqi army
Iraqi army
By Ishaan Tharoor
Shiite militias have surged into Iraq’s Anbar province, a largely Sunni region, in a government-sanctioned bid to recapture the provincial capital Ramadi, which was seized in entirety by the jihadists of the Islamic State at the end of the last week. Thousands have fled the city, which is less than 70 miles west of Baghdad.

Ramadi’s fall poses a problem for U.S. officials, who have sought to paint a picture of a weakening Islamic State. One Pentagon spokesman told reporters that the city’s capture was part of “complex, bloody fight” where “there are going to be ebbs and flows.”

The sudden advance of the extremist militants into the city’s last government-held redoubts was enabled in part by a series of coordinated car bomb blasts. The panicked retreat that followed seemed a replay of the events of nearly a year ago, when Iraqi forces defending Mosul, the country’s second most important city, melted away in the face of an Islamic State onslaught. The jihadist organization still controls Mosul and has carried out hideous attacks on religious minorities in its surrounding areas.

For all the efforts of a host of factions battling the jihadists on the ground, as well as an extensive campaign of U.S. air strikes and other special forces operations, the Islamic State remains extraordinarily resilient. In comparison, the Iraqi army appears tragically feeble, unable to wage an effective counterinsurgency despite billions of American dollars spent in training and arms, and easily overwhelmed by the militants’ rapid gains.

The original sin, many argue, was the disbanding of the Iraqi army following the U.S. invasion in 2003, which toppled the country’s long-ruling dictator Saddam Hussein. As my colleague Liz Sly reported in a lengthy expose, military officers belonging to Hussein’s Baath party — a nominally secular institution — eventually emerged as the key figures running the Islamic State.

The new Iraqi army, meanwhile, has a reputation for disorganization, corruption, poor leadership and even poorer morale.

“No matter how many billions of dollars you spend you cannot buy experience. You cannot buy legacy. You cannot just manufacture that out of nowhere,” Marine First Lt. Dave Jackson, who fought alongside Iraqi troops on two deployments, told Al Jazeera last year after the fall of Mosul. “They’ve been set up for failure from the beginning.”

But the present failings of the Iraqi army are rooted in more immediate problems.

A lack of equipment and strategic capability

While most of international attention was focused on the Islamic State’s inroads around Mosul and areas closer to the autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq, Iraqi government forces have been battling the jihadists in Ramadi for well over a year. The city’s surrender didn’t come out of nowhere: It was the product of a dogged, opportunistic Islamic State campaign to wrest control of all of Anbar, Iraq’s biggest province and once a stronghold of a Sunni insurgency against the American occupation.

It also didn’t help that the Iraqi security forces clinging to Ramadi were apparently ill-equipped and under-prepared for the task.

“The ones to be blamed for this are the government and the local authorities in Ramadi,” said a police colonel who fled the city on Sunday, in an interview with the Guardian. “The army don’t have the fighting spirit. They were there waiting for Isis to attack. They are poorly equipped comparing to Isis. We are fighting with guns and pistols while the Islamic State has Humvees and IEDs and suicide bombers.”

Even with the support of U.S. air strikes, Iraqi forces couldn’t dislodge the extremist militants from their entrenched positions in the province. Part of the problem, as The Washington Post reported last year, is that they weren’t ready to battle an organization with the sophistication of the Islamic State.

“Iraq’s military is still a ‘checkpoint Army,’ more interested in manning roadblocks than developing intelligence and engaging in counterinsurgency missions,” wrote the Post’s Kevin Sullivan and Greg Jaffe.

The fiction of a unified Iraqi state

The other problem is the country’s sectarian politics. Under previous Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Sunni-majority areas like Ramadi and Mosul were neglected (and embittered) by the Shiite-dominated government in Baghdad. In December 2013, Maliki infamously described Sunni protesters in Ramadi who had been calling for greater autonomy as “al-Qaeda” and sent troops to violently disperse their encampments.

The upheaval unleashed by Maliki’s heavy-handed bungling set the stage for the astonishing, terrifying rise of the Islamic State (and the unraveling of the Iraqi one) in the months that followed.

Maliki’s successor, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, has talked the talk, and pledged national reconciliation and unity. But under his watch, the country has leaned heavily on the capabilities of a hodgepodge of Shiite militias, who mustered tens of thousands of men since the fall of Mosul and filled the void left behind by a weak, disintegrating Iraqi army.

The Shiite brigades, known as the “hashd shaabi” or “popular mobilization” units, are to a varying extent backed by Iran and, in some cases, are better equipped than the Iraqi army. They were essential players in the Iraqi government’s recapture of the city of Tikrit, north of Baghdad, earlier this year, a grinding offensive that saw U.S. warplanes operate alongside Iranian proxy units on the ground.

A similar fate now appears to be in store for Ramadi, as Shiite fighters seek to push back the Islamic State, which gleefully dubs its opponents among the militias and Iraqi security forces as “apostates.” There are fears over rights abuses and sectarian atrocities carried out in largely Sunni areas after the Shiite militias “liberate” them from the Islamic State.

The beleaguered Sunni tribes of Anbar, whose “awakening” in 2006 helped subdue al-Qaeda’s insurgency, have been caught in an unenviable position — dealing with the Islamic State jihadists in their midst as well as a worrying Shiite mobilization on their borders.

“We are tired, we want peace, we want to live, and the government is run by thieves and ignorant people,” one Sunni tribal leader from Ramadi told the Guardian.”We are not welcoming [the Shiite militias] in our city. We won’t fight them if they enter, but we are emotionally against them. They are an ethnic militia who will treat us badly.”

This underlying divide plays into the Islamic State’s hands, and underscores the difficulty Abadi’s government has in putting forward a credible, cohesive Iraqi army when there just simply isn’t one.

“The deficiencies of the army cannot be corrected because they reflect the realities of the society,” writes American diplomat Peter Galbraith, in a blunt assessment.

The Washington Post

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59 responses to “Analysis: Why the Iraqi army keeps failing”

  1. Ron Molina Avatar
    Ron Molina

    The Iraq army is worthless!

    1. zabada Avatar

      wow you are here.i saw you on Rudaw…you go there and fight for them.I see you a brave man.Khah..khah..khah..if you get caught make sure you kill your self before isis beheading you.It is too hard when isis knife is reaching your neck.

  2. James Alias Avatar
    James Alias

    The Iraqi Army was better equipped than ISIS or at lease sufficiently equipped to put up a good fight, so your statements are wrong. The problem is that the flee from the battle, look at all the pictures of equipment they left behind. We had a failed policy under Bush and a failed policy under Obama. We allowed for a weak government in Iraq, we actually encouraged a weak government. We failed to supply the Kurds who once were a terrorist organization but legitimized themselves over time as we are afraid they would declare independence, let them. Iraq can’t exist as a state with a weak central government. We need to either pull all the way out of the middle east and let them kill each other, or we need find a few strongmen who are capable to killing religious extremist. Oh we can’t stomach ether decision, so we will muddle along with more failed policies.

    1. 5thDrawer Avatar
      5thDrawer

      And mostly, you will be blamed for all of it anyway.

    2. zabada Avatar

      the problem American politician is not you..they are planning to destroy all sides.That why they give all side limited weapons that no side will win..with limited air strikes.Hence prolong the war..and Israel will save,,your gov and it,s armies is Jews slaves,,Western still practicing slavery by being slaves to Jews bankers.American turned to extremist on behalf of Jews killing a million in Iraq in order to plant sectarians at the area.I see many westerner are ignorant on Jews and Zionist movement to destroy and enslaving anything around them.

      1. Intouchable Avatar
        Intouchable

        According to you many westerner are ignorant on Jews and Zionist movement, as well as the Hamas that inciting to Kill all Christians and Jews “to the last one”; https://youtu.be/IrI8-qb9M9A.

        1. zabada Avatar

          it is their business..i m not.May be some Christians and Jews do something bad on them.

        2. zabada Avatar

          it is a bout politic…not religion..if America is not harm them at the past..and Israel is not killing Palestineans..no body will them

          1. Intouchable Avatar
            Intouchable

            English is not my mother language, but yours indicates that you need to learn English….

          2. zabada Avatar

            it is now not a bout language..it is now a bout Christians atrocities history on Muslims.

          3. Intouchable Avatar
            Intouchable

            Oh yeah…..

          4. zabada Avatar

            thanks.

  3. Fauzia45 Avatar
    Fauzia45

    No strong army,no state or government!Chaos !!!

    1. Barry Avatar

      huh?

      1. offtopic

  4. ‘Cyber-archaeology’ salvages lost Iraqi art http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-32742622

  5. Hend Abyad Avatar
    Hend Abyad

    Why did we invade Iraq?
    “It is in the Clean Break plan written for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu
    in 1996 by leading neocons Richard Perle, Douglas Feith and David
    Wurmser — all of whom would go into the Bush administration — calling
    for the removal of Saddam Hussein and the export of the Palestinian
    political problem to Jordan. – See more at:
    http://mondoweiss.net/2015/05/facing-neocon-captivity?

    1. Barry Avatar

      I knew it was the Jews’ fault. No wonder the Iraqi Army is filled with incompetents and cowards. Because the Jews!
      Either the Jews are so brilliant that a few million control the entire Arab (and rest of the) world; or Arabs (and the rest of the world) are so feeble that they cannot resist the power of the Jews.
      Either way, just give up.

      1. zabada Avatar

        when Assad was gone…Jews true enemies eventually at their border…i guess Jews days are numbered.See 20..30 years in future.Ask Israelis to get ready.

        1. Barry Avatar

          Okay, I just got off the phone with Israel. They say that they are ready. Now, you hold your breath and wait.
          PS- Israel always liked Assad best despite his support for HA. He gave it just enough power to keep IDF away from Damascus road. He made a mistake in not allying with Israel. They could have helped him if he dropped HA.

          1. zabada Avatar

            even israel,s god will not sided them…they are brutal nation who plan to destroy,genocide and enslave others.They just enslave Bush..jr and sr and obama.Their death game will turn to an upset…they will make mistakes..arrogant people always make many mistakes…I can see their serious mistakes…they can,t turn back…too late.They now at very hard situation.America is not allowed Jews plan to happen.America have another plan to destroy Iran..but if America is late ..Israel will be in great danger.Ask them to playing more death game on Arabs.Zionist guess they are are smart…but i see…they are fool.

          2. zabada Avatar

            they are scare..they are not ready..scare to die.

          3. 5thDrawer Avatar
            5thDrawer

            I’m sure that ONE thing they are sure of being scared of, along with the ‘average citizen’ of literally anywhere else, is having all the cities they reside in look like Allepo and Gaza and Kobane … to name a few.

    2. Jordan is Palestine, mondoweiss is jews “profalestinians”

    3. Intouchable Avatar
      Intouchable

      “Why did we invade Iraq?”, are you american citizen?

      1. zabada Avatar

        to destabilize the area…to destroy iran,an enemy to israel .. by using sunnis force…to weaken israel,s enemies ,the Arabs and persians..and to invade middle east..to monopoly oil industries.That why isis behead them.

        1. Intouchable Avatar
          Intouchable

          Hold your horses, how can you in one sentence “.. ,the Arabs and persians. ..” claim that the Arabs are eaqal with Persians?
          Have you never heard of the war between Iran and Iraq?

          1. zabada Avatar

            American will make them engage more wars in future..even now..you see how saudi is forcing to intervene in Yemen.because America planted shiah uprising at the area..so they know sunnis will fight shiah and weaken iran.I tell you shiah is not islam..they are nonmuslim like you.Shiah and Sunnis Muslims have long wars at the past.America take advantage on that to planted more hatred among Shiah and sunnis muslim.You are not understand many thing in Middle east.

          2. Intouchable Avatar
            Intouchable

            Shiah and sunnis muslim always have been very good friends….
            That’s why the killing each other.

            They done it before the USA was crated!

            Incredible how you Muslims alway accusing others for your own crated problems!

          3. zabada Avatar

            you are still a kid to know the whole history on this earth.

          4. Intouchable Avatar
            Intouchable

            Oh yeah, I’m just six years old and you are still thinking you know everything about everyone.

          5. zabada Avatar

            you are not six you are five next to me.

          6. Intouchable Avatar
            Intouchable

            Anything else you son of a sharmuta?

  6. zabada Avatar

    America plan to weaken Iraqis Shiites gov..allowed sunnis to defeat them..to invite Iran to intervene..then Sunnis force will destroy Iran,It is Zionist plan to destroy iran by using sunnis force.Who are believe to America he is really a fool.The whites in America…i mean it,s politician still stick on their old school at colonial times….divide and rule.

    1. Intouchable Avatar
      Intouchable

      “America became the worse when it controlled by Jews and Zionist.”, that’s why
      MUSLIMS ATTACK CHRISTIANS IN AMERICA OVER SHARIA LAW – https://youtu.be/-2okgUG_5Ys

      1. zabada Avatar

        it is only a dirty propaganda by Christian to discredit Muslims.The truth Islam is allowed civil laws.It,s called Takzir..ask Havard scholars on this.Anyway many Muslims are not acknowledge..Islam also allowed civil laws in their court.

        1. Intouchable Avatar
          Intouchable

          If it’s only a dirty propaganda by Christians to discredit Muslims, than this is another dirty propaganda – https://youtu.be/rlzCxzni89A.

          How come that the muslims are behaving this way, and then complaining that everybody is discrediting Muslims?

          1. 5thDrawer Avatar
            5thDrawer

            Who licenced a ‘Hamas Rally’ in Miami? And did they go there to watch the beach?

          2. Intouchable Avatar
            Intouchable

            Unfortunately I’m not in the position to supply you with more information about this ‘Hamas Rally’ in Miami.

            Wouldn’t be surprised if somebody with connection to Miami can help you.

          3. Intouchable Avatar
            Intouchable

            Unfortunately I’m not in the position to supply you with more information about this ‘Hamas Rally’ in Miami.
            Wouldn’t be surprised if somebody with connection in Miami can help you.

            However I can present for you the Swedish Imam that wants to drown the Jews in Muslim spitting…. https://youtu.be/M5osyP290Rg

          4. zabada Avatar

            I can sending you a thousand of American atrocities on Muslims.

          5. zabada Avatar

            it is not enough..they must shot Bush jr and sr ,dick cheney .powell.Rice..for killing thousands of iraqis only to plant America fake democracy…The truth America is going to plant sectarians at the area and lead to wars and killing right now.

          6. Intouchable Avatar
            Intouchable

            Yes we know that Shariah law is the right democracy…

            Just for your information – Shariah law is not alowud in Sweden!

          7. zabada Avatar

            syariah also means on rituals…anyway on criminal laws..to prevent crimes..civil laws …man made laws is allowed in islam…and it is a priority…since islamic criminal laws too hard to plant it …many new convert in the west are not understand all concepts in islamic laws.They are too eager to practice islam and they are not fully understand the word…syariah..Hudud laws ..cutting hand …stoning..and ect..really very hard laws..it is to only scare people at the past..at the times of the prophet people still barbarian..no school…no universities..likely to west at times..and all over the world ..all countries have very hard laws to prevent barbarian people at he times not to condone any a kind of crimes..in the west ..so in Arab,s world…God do the same…invented hard laws to protect uncivilized people at the times to condone any crimes…if all the kings of the world killed their people with their hard laws..any way in islam..the prophet used to pardon them..he said…pardon hudud (Cutting hand..stoning and ect..if the case reach me it is an obligation to do it..that means all people must pardon hudud and not bring all cases to the prophets.They can punish all crimes with their laws..man made laws..or civil laws.And the prophet is o.k on that..Most muslims only refer to quran nad not to alhadith..the prophet,s quotes.Anyway islam is created by the two..Quran and hadith..yes it is hard laws in quran..but the prophet urges people to pardon its..in order to dealing with crimes..they can punish criminals with man made laws..civil laws.And god also agree to the prophet..because god is praising him as the best example and the best behave in Quran.mMany Muslims is not understand their religion..that why nonmuslims also can,t understand this religion..So Shariah criminal laws is not an obligation even in muslim,s countries and nor in Sweden.They can practice man mad laws that invented by legal experts.

          8. Intouchable Avatar
            Intouchable

            Shove your Shariah up your butt, where it belongs.

          9. zabada Avatar

            haa… that comes your ugly words..that why isis are going to behead you.it is many fine words…and you are not choose the words…that is what called harm others with our bad language.you see i use such bad words ?.

          10. Intouchable Avatar
            Intouchable

            Kuss Ummac.

          11. slander (against America and Israel) is the bad words

          12. zabada Avatar

            slander…so let they killed others.

        2. where is “true” islam? mainstream of your islam is humanitarian catastrophe

          1. zabada Avatar

            in me..really in me.

          2. zabada Avatar

            all the calamities there were brought by America and Israel..Muslims only defended them selves.Jews and Christians invaded their countries ,rob their soil..destroy their house..so they are fighting for their right…of course by killing because Jews and Christian is killing them first.

  7. Militants of “Islamic State” set fire to an oil refinery in Bayidzhi, considered the largest in Iraq

    1. zabada Avatar

      But it editor support Zionist..my guess.

      1. my guess… no of course. “Zionists” is your dream

  8. (June 9) A series of attacks in Baghdad: At least 20 dead

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