Iraqi Army Not Ready to Defend Fallujah

[ECH1969]

It's been two years since U.S. forces cleared out this dangerous western city, the bloodiest urban combat of the Iraq war. But Iraqi soldiers still aren't ready to stop Fallujah from becoming an insurgent stronghold again.

U.S. teams say training efforts have been undermined by corruption, a dearth of basic equipment and Iraqi soldiers' mistrust of those from different Muslim backgrounds and lack of faith in the government.

Shiite soldiers insist they are sensitive to all civilians -- even in Fallujah where most residents are Sunni. But there was some visible tension during the night raid when an Iraqi captain told a man who had fled Baghdad for fear of Shiite militias that it would never be safe to return. "The government is incapable of controlling the country. The militias are more powerful," he said.

Ahmed Sallah, 28, shot back: "I should be able to live anywhere." Nasser, the Iraqi colonel, said educated Iraqis understand that Shiites and Sunnis do not pose a threat to one another, but that few Iraqis finish high school.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-iraq-training-the-army,1,7738238.story?coll=sns-ap-world-headlines

[williesgirl]

1. The Iraqi army is not ready to defend anything and never will be. Get out now.

[ECH1969]

2. That is the spirit