Iraqi army is the world’s largest

[Abarvets]

Iraqi army is the world’s largest in terms of ratio per 1000 inhabitants

By Nidhal al-Laithi

Azzaman, March 20, 2012

Iraq now has 1.2 million people under arms, that is one soldier for each 22 Iraqis and 45 for every 1000 people, according to latest statistics revealed by the Iraqi parliament. The number of troops in Iraq has never been as high as it is now “if we exclude the 1980-1988 war with Iran,” said Haytham al-Jibouri, a member of the parliament’s powerful Finance Commission. But despite their large numbers, the troops have yet to succeed in freeing Iraq from violence and acts of terror. The Iraqi army is a volunteer force but there has never been a shortage of volunteers despite insurgent attacks which have claimed thousands of military lives so far. The main reason for the rush of Iraqis to volunteer and join the armed forces is the high unemployment rate. Joining the army secures a life-time, well-paid job.

The army has the lion’s share of the national budget which almost solely relies on oil royalties for hard cash resources. Last year, the defense ministry received 15% of the budget, that is $15 billion – a sum larger than the allocations earmarked for the ministries of health, education and higher education and scientific research. Most of the defense ministry’s allocations (about 90%) go to salaries and overheads.

http://www.azzaman.com/english/index.asp?fname=news\2012-03-20\kurd.htm

[mariejose]

AND THEY ARE STILL UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VIOLENCE.

[Abarvets]

Must be in the training or lack there off. It is really very sad.............

[shabbadude]

Two words to describe the Iraqi army... cannon fodder...

Sadly, we withdrew too soon, those brave soldiers need more training before letting them fend for themselves.

[uncirculd]

They do think big.