U.S. Hands Over Control of 'Hardly-Existent' Military

U.S. troops have passed Iraqi army command to the government, in a move that many here see as a prelude to the departure of foreign troops, or at least the curtailment of their combat activities. The Ministry of Defense has been formally notified by the United States of the transfer of authority.

In a statement faxed to this newspaper, the ministry said that as of Saturday, September 2, the government would be solely responsible for all combat operations carried out by Iraqi troops

“In an important step toward self-reliance, as of Saturday, the Iraqi Defense Ministry will assume the responsibility of commanding all Iraqi armed forces,” the statement said. The government would now be, “directly in charge of Army, Air Force and Navy troops.”

But the transfer may complicate rather than solve the security problems in the country. Practically speaking, Iraq has no Air Force, the Army lacks combat aircraft, helicopter gun ships and even military transport aircraft, and the navy is non-existent. Iraq’s entire force consists of several mostly poorly equipped and trained land divisions.

The United States has stalled on Iraqi government’s repeated demands to purchase modern weapons for the troops.

With no artillery or armor and in the absence of air cover, Iraqi troops are said to be outgunned by rebels in restive regions like Anbar, Mosul and Diyala.

There are also fears that the Army, which is already divided along sectarian lines, may become enmeshed in the current sectarian strife. Many Sunnis, who make up the core of the insurgency, have frequently complained of Army units taking sides in the conflict.

But nonetheless, the government seems upbeat. The Defense Ministry statement hailed the transfer as a good step in the direction of defeating the insurgency.

“By taking over command, the Ministry of Defense will now be in charge of planning. This will enable it to direct operations aimed at crushing the rebellion and preserving Iraq as a democratic and independent state,” the statement said.