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WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
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Iraq
Index
Conditions of service in the Iraqi army historically have
been poor. In addition to receiving low and irregular pay, during
much of the country's modern history Iraqi soldiers were involved
in a costly and unpopular war with Kurdish rebels. Having to
fight the Kurds caused morale problems and desertions,
particularly among the army's Kurdish recruits, and on at least
two occasions between 1975 and 1979 the government offered
amnesties to all soldiers and security personnel who had deserted
during Kurdish conflicts. Between 1975 and 1980, Baghdad made
some progress in solving long-standing morale problems and in
improving conditions of service. The 1975 victory against the
Kurds and increased oil income contributed to these improvements.
A reversal recurred in 1981, however, when many of the Iraqi
military failed to cope with combat stress, and thousands
experienced psychological problems because of their war
experiences. The surrender rate was also high, as prisoner-of-war
statistics indicated, and that further demoralized loyal troops.
In 1975 Baghdad adopted a comprehensive Military Service and
Pension Law that established pay scales, allowances, benefits,
and retirement pay designed to attract officers and enlisted men
from the civilian sector. A second lieutenant was authorized ID65
(ID or Iraqi dinar--for value of
dinar see Glossary) a month as
base pay, with an increase of ID20 for each higher rank.
Moreover, an adjustable cost-of-living allowance was established,
as was a family allowance amounting to a 5 percent increase in
salary for each dependent. Service allowances were also granted
to those with special skills or duties. Retirement pay was
commensurate with rank and with civilian retirement benefits, and
indemnities were established for the families of soldiers
disabled or killed in action.
After the military defeats of 1982, the entire chain of
command suffered low morale. On several occasions, signs of
mutiny in opposition to the war emerged. According to unverified
Iraqi dissident reports, the number of deserters reached 100,000,
and in central and in southern Iraq, they formed armed groups
that were opposed to the regime. Many soldiers refused to fight
in Kurdistan, and many more joined the armed Kurdish resistance
movement.
Data as of May 1988
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