Iraq's Military Has Tens Of Thousands Of 'Ghost Soldiers'

Reuters / Stringer

Iraq Says It Found 50,000 'Ghost Soldiers' On Payroll -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Iraq's new government has discovered 50,000 "ghost soldiers" who received army salaries without showing up for work, a practice which accelerated the military's collapse in the face of Islamic State fighters six months ago.

The names were uncovered in an investigation launched by Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi, who took office in September, his spokesman Rafid Jaburi said.

"Ghost soldiers" were men on the army payroll who paid their officers a portion of their salaries and in return did not show up for duty, enriching their commanders and hollowing out the military force.

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More News On Reports That Iraq Has 50,000 'Ghost Soldiers' On It's Payroll

Iraq uncovers 50,000 'ghost soldiers' -- Al Jazeera
Iraq's army weakened from within by 50,000 'ghost' soldiers -- CNN
Investigation finds 50,000 "ghost" soldiers in Iraqi army -- Pilot Online/Washington Post
Iraqi army 'had 50,000 ghost troops' on payroll -- BBC
Iraqi PM: Military Has 50,000 'Ghost Soldiers' -- VOA
Iraqi PM: Baghdad govt. paying salaries of 50,000 non-existent Iraqi soldiers -- UPI
Iraq Says It Found 50,000 'Ghost Soldiers' on Payroll -- NBC
Prime Minister says Iraqi army has 50,000 'ghost soldiers' on payroll -- FOX News
Iraq PM reveals 50,000 ‘ghost soldiers’ on country’s payroll -- Washington Times
Iraq: Probe unearths 50,000 'ghost soldiers' in army -- IBTimes
Iraq graft probe exposes 50,000 ‘ghost troops’ crowding army payroll -- RT
Iraqi PM’s Graft Probe Finds 50,000 ‘Ghost Soldiers’ -- Sputnik
Iraqi premier sacks 24 interior ministry officials -- AP

My Comment: Only 50,000 ????