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The Iraqi Army Was Crumbling Long Before Its Collapse, U.S. Officials Say
(New York Times) Eric Schmitt and Michael R. Gordon - The stunning collapse of Iraq's army in the north reflects poor leadership, declining troop morale, broken equipment and a sharp decline in training since the last American advisers left the country in 2011, American military and intelligence officials said Thursday. Four of Iraq's 14 army divisions virtually abandoned their posts, stripped off their uniforms and fled when confronted by militant groups. The divisions that collapsed were made up of Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish troops. Other units made up of mainly Shiite troops and stationed closer to Baghdad were believed to be more loyal to the government of Prime Minister Maliki, a Shiite, and would most likely put up greater resistance. The U.S. spent $25 billion to train and equip Iraq's security forces and provide installations for them. "This is not about ISIS strength, but the Iraqi security forces' weakness," said a former senior American officer who served in Iraq. "Since the U.S. left in 2011, the training and readiness of the Iraqi security forces has plummeted precipitously."