Iraqi commanders removed from Basra

Updated 13.21 Wed Apr 16 2008
Keywords: Iraq, Basra

Iraq's government has removed the Iraqi military and police force commanders in the southern city of Basra.

The move comes weeks after a crackdown on militia in the city that US commanders said was poorly planned.

A spokesman for the Interior Ministry said the two generals had been "rewarded for their successful mission against the criminals in Basra" and given higher staff posts in Baghdad

Lieutenant-General Mohan al-Furaiji, who is one of Iraq's most senior commanders and highly regarded by his US and British counterparts, had been in overall charge of all military and police forces in Basra.

Major General Abdul-Jalil Khalaf, the provincial police chief, was also removed.

A Defence Ministry spokesman said Lt Gen Furaiji's mission in Basra had come to an end and a new general had been placed in charge.

A spokesman for the Interior Ministry said the two generals had been "rewarded for their successful mission against the criminals in Basra" and given higher staff posts at the Ministry of Defence in Baghdad.

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