Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on
Thursday offered an amnesty covering
security forces members who fled the
Islamic State jihadist group, provided
they return to their units within
30 days.
Multiple Iraqi divisions collapsed when
an IS-led offensive swept through Iraq
last June, overrunning large areas north
and west of Baghdad.
In their haste to escape, some security
personnel shed their uniforms and
abandoned vehicles, weapons and other
equipment, which the jihadists have
since employed against government
forces.
The statement from Abadi’s office did not
specifically mention IS, but the amnesty
covers those who fled, were absent or
harmed themselves to avoid service.
The amnesty specifically excludes those
who committed offences including crimes
against state security, corruption and
abuse of influence.
It was unclear if tens of thousands of so-
called “ghost soldiers,” who are on the
payroll but do not show up for work,
sometimes splitting salaries with their
commanders, would be covered.
While Iraqi security forces performed
dismally in the early days of the IS-led
drive, they have since regained
significant territory with backing from
pro-government paramilitaries, a US-led
coalition and Iran.
