ISIS kills 17 troops in Iraq during vicious clash with government forces

BAGHDAD/BEIRUT An Iraqi parliamentary panel called on Sunday for former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and dozens of other top officials to stand trial over the fall of the northern city of Mosul to Islamic State previous year.

Iraqi PM Hayder Abadi has been loudly critical of the military for the loss of the Anbar capital of Ramadi, saying the troops fled despite orders to stay and defeat ISIS. Today he has ordered the commanders court martialed for abandoning their defensive positions and losing the city.

The fall of Mosul is regarded as a turning point in last year’s push by IS fighters from Syria into Iraq, where they now control large swathes of territory in the north and west of the country.

The statement was published on the official website of Mr Abadi, who launched a sweeping reform campaign last week aimed at combating corruption and mismanagement in the biggest shake-up in the governing system since the U.S. military occupation.

Rukn al-Jumaa also said that due to the deadly clashes, Iraqi forces had had to retreat in some areas of Baiji.

– Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi Sunday slashed his cabinet from 33 members to 22, days after parliament approved a slate of reforms he proposed in the wake of protests over corruption and poor public services.

Iraq’s prime minister Haidar al-Abadi.

“In other words, if he had elected to stay, he would still be there today”, Ghika said.

Meanwhile, the Kurdistan Democratic Party spokesman in Mosul, Saeed Mamouzini, has announced the death of four Daesh Takfiris, who were killed during fierce infighting over the distribution of property stolen during attacks in the militant-held city, situated some 400 kilometers (248 miles) northwest of Baghdad. Maliki has accused unnamed countries, commanders and rival politicians of plotting the city’s fall.

The report detailing the findings, which has yet to be publicly released, has been presented to Parliament Speaker Salim al-Juburi, who said it will be sent to the prosecutor general for legal action.

“It’s understood I was targeted because I’m going after corrupt people“, he told Reuters.

Baghdad-based analyst Jasim al-Bahadli said he was wise to focus on reforming the security forces.

The full report will be read in the next session of parliament on Monday “to inform the Iraqi people of the truth”, Jabouri said.