'Iraqi Army Desertions'

Below is an interesting piece of information about low morale and desertions that has afflicted Just one Iraqi army battalion, that I ran into while reading an Associated Press article on Friday, December 23, 2005...

I wounder if the pentagon included this battalion (and maybe others like it) in its estimate, when it stated that there are many Iraqi army battalions ready to assume combat duty alone and replace existing american troops.

If there are other Iraqi army units suffering from low morale and a high rate of desertion, then I really doubt that our troops will be coming home any time soon.

"meanwhile, gunmen friday attacked an Iraqi army checkpoint in the city of Adhaim, in religiously and ethnically mixed Diyala province, killing eight soldiers and wounding seventeen, an Iraqi army officer said on condition he not be identified for fear of reprisal."

"there were too many to count, said Akid, a 20-year-old soldier from Diwanayah being treated for gunshot wounds to both thighs. they tried to kill everybody."

"Akid, who would only give his first name for fear of reprisal, said his battalion of about 600 men had already suffered over 250 desertions after the Dec. 3 ambush in Adhaim killed 19 Iraqi soldiers."

"they gave up", he said

"they said, 'the hell with this.'"