Wolfowitz: Iraqi forces were outgunned by Shi'ite fighters

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Wednesday, April 21, 2004

At least half of the Iraqi security forces stood their ground against Shi'ite fighters during the uprising earlier this month, the United States reported. But overall they were outgunned by the insurgents.

U.S. officials said that in several cases Shi'ite insurgents employed heavier and more effective weapons than Iraqi security forces and military troops. They said this was one of the key findings from the Shi'ite revolt in central and southern Iraq earlier this month.

Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday that the Mahdi Army loyal to Iranian-backed Shi'ite cleric Moqtada Sadr deployed more powerful weapons than the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps, the main U.S.-trained Iraqi security force.

"We had not planned for them to be fully-equipped at this point, but some of our ICDC units were outgunned in recent action, so we are re-looking the equipment requirements," Wolfowitz said. "We have also incurred some delays in equipping the Iraqi security forces. Part of the delay has been caused by challenges in the contracting process and we hope those problems have been fixed."

The deputy secretary did not detail the weapons of the Shi'ite insurgents. Earlier, U.S. officials said the Mahdi Army employed light weapons, rocket-propelled grenades, mortars and light anti-tank weapons in clashes with U.S. and coalition troops.

Wolfowitz said the performance of the Iraqi security forces was mixed. He said that in some cases Iraqi troops fought well and in other cases the Iraqi security forces performed poorly. He cited fear as the main reason for the flight of Iraqi troops.

"At least half of the security forces stood their ground and in Falujah some ICDC units fought bravely and well," Wolfowitz said. "Other units did not face the enemy, avoided contact altogether, and a small proportion cooperated with the enemy."

[In Basra, at least 70 people were killed in a series of car bombings on Wednesday. The car bombs exploded almost simultaneously outside three police stations in the southern Iraqi city.]

Among the lessons drawn by the Defense Department from the Shi'ite revolt was that the United States must revise its training methods and selection of commanders. Other lessons included the need for greater liasion between the U.S. military and Iraqi security forces, improved equipment and additional advisers, and an effort to bolster Iraqi morale. Wolfowitz said the Iraqi security forces also have a critical need for weapons, ammunition, vehicles and radios.

"We will build on the leaders whose units fought and we will replace those whose units did not," Wolfowitz said. "We will integrate Iraqi officers with coalition forces and we will embed coalition officers with the Iraqi security forces. They need to understand they operate under an Iraqi chain of command, and that at the top of that chain of command is a lawfully constituted Iraqi government."

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, deputy director of coalition operations, said the ICDC performed well in fighting Sunni insurgents in Faluja. Kimmitt said the ICDC battalion ø composed of former Kurdish militia combatants ø would serve as a model for other units.

"The performance of the 36th Iraqi Civil Defense Corps Battalion during recent combat operations in Falujah is worthy of note," Kimmitt said. "In the view of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, the battalion distinguished itself as a trustworthy and capable Iraqi security force and will serve as a benchmark for ICDC performance in the future."

Officials said Central Command, under Gen. David Petraeus, will assume full responsibility for the development of Iraqi security forces and army. The decision removed such responsibility from the Coalition Provisional Authority and the State Department.

"It will be General Petraeus's responsibility to work with all the coalition countries and all of those involved in training, and mentoring, and equipping these forces," Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said.


Copyright © 2004 East West Services, Inc.

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