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Article: AWOL SOLDIERS RETURN, BOOST IRAQI FORCES
- Article from:
- US Fed News Service, Including US State News
- Article date:
- October 17, 2006
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The U.S. Marine Corps issued the following official news story:
More than 1,500 Iraqi soldiers who were absent without leave returned to duty by reporting here between Sept. 20 and Oct. 1.
Top Iraqi military officials approved the full reinstatement of the soldiers due to troop shortages throughout the Iraqi Army, said Col. Juan Ayala, senior advisor to the 1st Iraqi Army Division.
"The fact that they came back on their own volition shows that they want to serve," said Ayala. "It's going to give this division a much needed influx of soldiers."
The Iraqi Army is a voluntary force but unlike American forces has no specified terms of enlistment. Prolonged exposure to combat and dangerous ...