Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — Iraq’s military has lost confidence in its command.

A leading U.S. commander said the Iraq Army collapsed because of a loss of loyalty and confidence.

U.S. Army commander Gen. Raymond Odierno said the politicization of the Iraqi military eroded the trust of its rank-and-file and led to the Army flight from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in June.

“I believe what you found is a complete lack of sense in the trust, confidence and frankly loyalty in the commanders,” Odierno said. “So, when they were challenged, you saw them very quickly fade away.”

In an appearance to the Aspen Institute on July 23, Odierno expressed the U.S. loss in confidence in the Iraqi military. He said Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki removed capable military commanders for Shi’ite loyalists.

“I think that played a significant role more than anything [in the Iraqi military collapse],” Odierno said.

Odierno stressed that ISIL did not engage the Iraq Army in the former’s advance through northern Iraq. Instead, ISIL seized thousands of Iraqi combat platforms, many of them supplied by the United States.
“They didn’t fight,” Odierno said. “They gave up their posts.”

The army chief said the Iraqi military also abandoned training programs after the United States withdrew in 2011. Odierno said Al Maliki and his government allies overestimated the capability of their military.

“Their ability to continue their own training is disappointing,” Odierno said.

  Gen. Odierno: Politicized chain of command led to Iraq Army’s collapse, Gen. Raymond Odierno, ISIL, Nouri Al Maliki