Iraq probe uncovers ‘ghost soldiers’

Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014. Iraqs new prime minister says foreign ground troops are neither necessary nor wanted in his countrys fight against the Islamic State group. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi

Baghdad. — Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi yesterday announced that an investigation had uncovered the existence of 50 000 “ghost soldiers”, and promised a widening crackdown on corruption. “The prime minister revealed the existence of 50 000 fictitious names” in the military, said a statement from Abadi’s office issued after a session of parliament.

A parliament statement said the premier scrapped the 50 000 jobs, equivalent to almost four full army divisions.

“Over the past few weeks, the PM has been cracking down to expose the ghost soldiers and get to the root of the problem,” Abadi’s spokesperson Rafid Jaboori said.

He said that the investigation started with a thorough headcount during the latest salary payment process.

Soldiers confirmed to AFP that salaries were paid only recently after a two-month delay about which they were given no explanation. — AFP.