2 Iraqi commanders in charge of Basra mission recalled to Baghdad

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2 Iraqi commanders in charge of Basra mission recalled to Baghdad
By Joseph Giordono, and James Warden, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Friday, April 18, 2008

The top two Iraqi security commanders in Basra who led last month’s operation that was widely criticized as badly planned and executed have been recalled to Baghdad, Iraqi officials said Wednesday.

Lt. Gen. Mohan al-Fireji led the Iraqi army’s operations in the city, and Gen. Jaleel Khalaf led the Iraqi police in the assault. Both were called back to Baghdad to serve in high-level positions they had previously held at the Ministry of Defense. Iraqi officials said the move was not a demotion or related to the Basra offensive.

“Both these commanders were in Basra for temporary missions,” a statement from the Iraqi Defense Ministry said.

Khalaf and a Defense Ministry spokesman named Mohammed Askari were quoted by the Los Angeles Times as saying the two commanders’ positions were temporary and were being renewed every three months.

But, the offensive — personally overseen by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki — has been roundly criticized by U.S. military and political officials.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=54130