Tragic death of army cadets sparks national outcry in Iraq
Also in Iraq
Coordination Framework delegation to visit Erbil amid Baghdad-KRG strain
Kurdistan workers urge Iraq's top court to order salary release from Baghdad
Iraq transfers military college cadets to Baghdad after tragic deaths
Iraqi leaders receive Lebanese president for talks on bilateral ties, security
A+ A-
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani has ordered an investigation into the deaths of two Iraqi army cadets and the illness of many others at a military college in the southern Dhi Qar province. Parliament has also called for accountability in the incident that saw 'over 100 cadets' suffer from extreme exhaustion due to high temperatures and intense physical exertion
The Premier's Spokesperson Sabah al-Numan on Wednesday stated that Sudani 'directed the formation of an investigative council to identify those responsible and take legal action, following the deaths of two cadets from the Fourth Military College in Dhi Qar Province and the illness of other cadets.'
Sudani further dismissed the head of the military academy, his deputy, and the commanding officer of the regiment whose cadets were affected, Numan said.
The Prime Minister also instructed that 'the rank of Second Lieutenant be posthumously awarded to the two deceased cadets,' making their families eligible for compensation granted to fallen soldiers.
Earlier in the day, the Iraqi defense ministry stated that the cadets had joined the Fourth Military College in Dhi Qar's provincial capital Nasiriyah on Sunday.
During the reception process, 'nine cadets began showing signs of dehydration and health complications' due to prolonged sun exposure, the ministry noted, adding that 'they were immediately transported to Nasiriyah Hospital by the military college's medical team.'
Initially, the ministry confirmed that one cadet succumbed to health complications, while six others recovered and are set to be discharged and two cadets remain under medical observation.
Later, the Iraqi parliament's Security and Defense Committee stated that the death toll had risen to two, noting that it had formed a 'follow-up team' to investigate the incident thoroughly and 'ensure the safety of the cadets and improve their training conditions.'
Importantly, the Committee noted that 'more than a 100 cadets' had 'suffered fainting and severe exhaustion' during the reception process and emphasized that it is 'closely monitoring the health status of the affected cadets to prevent future occurrences.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
2 days ago
- Shafaq News
Basra sends emergency medical aid to Iran
Shafaq News/ Iraq's Basra Health Directorate, in coordination with the Ministry of Health and local authorities, dispatched a shipment of emergency medical supplies to Iran on Thursday. Speaking to Shafaq News Agency, Sarah al-Husseini, head of the Pharmacy Department at the Basra Health Directorate, said the shipment includes critical medications for resuscitation and emergency-use medical supplies. Al-Husseini emphasized that the move demonstrates 'the Iraqi people's solidarity with friendly nations during times of hardship.'
Iraqi News
6 days ago
- Iraqi News
First Iraqi Medical Congress in London tackles healthcare future, uniting global expertise
London, UK ( – The inaugural Iraqi Medical Congress (IQMC 2025) officially launched in London this week, initiating a vital scientific dialogue on the current state and future of healthcare in Iraq. Announced by the Iraqi Embassy, the event serves as a crucial networking platform, bringing together the expertise of Iraqi medical professionals from within the country and across the diaspora to strengthen a healthcare system built on collaboration and shared knowledge. The opening session, attended by the Iraqi Ambassador to the United Kingdom, featured contributions from a host of Iraqi medical experts. The keynote lecture by Dr. Jaffar Allawi addressed the major challenges in managing diabetes in Iraq, setting a forward-thinking tone for the congress. He emphasized that effective treatment must begin with early diagnosis and lifestyle changes, not medication alone, underscoring the need to build a fair and efficient healthcare system rooted in prevention. A key partner in the event, the Authority of Health and Medical Education (AHEAD), affiliated with the Holy Shrine of Imam Hussain and the Gold Sponsor of IQMC 2025, reaffirmed its commitment to advancing healthcare in Iraq through education and innovation. AHEAD's involvement, representing a network of over 25 hospitals and universities, highlights a strong push from within Iraq to develop a more sustainable local healthcare system. Specialized frontiers and systemic solutions The congress delved into specialized fields with high-level presentations. Professor Mohammed Sami Al-Abbadi, President of IQMC and a consultant dermatologist, focused on advancements in dermatology and cosmetics. He highlighted the role of technology in enhancing diagnosis and stressed the importance of integrating cosmetic practices within a disciplined scientific and ethical framework to ensure patient safety amidst the specialty's rapid expansion. In another key session, ophthalmology expert Professor Moemen Al Reefy discussed the latest innovations in everyday eye care, from early diagnostic techniques to laser therapies. He emphasized that improving eye health across Iraq depends not only on technology but also on training medical staff and raising public awareness about early diagnosis. A pivotal discussion on health insurance featured a panel including Dr. Yasser Haba, Dr. Hani Al-Akbi, Dr. Yasir Sabri, and Dr. Majid Shingali. They framed health insurance as a critical need and opportunity for Iraq, despite challenges like weak administrative infrastructure and high medication prices. The panel concluded with key recommendations for building an effective system, including enacting inclusive legislation that guarantees coverage for all, creating a unified health database, ensuring fair drug pricing, and linking providers to a smart oversight system based on transparent performance indicators. The first Iraqi Medical Congress in London successfully brought together influential voices to not only discuss cutting-edge medical advancements but also to lay the groundwork for systemic reforms. The shared belief in collaboration between local and diaspora experts emerged as the key theme, fostering a unified vision for a sustainable and inclusive healthcare future for all Iraqis.
Iraqi News
04-06-2025
- Iraqi News
Iraq to launch new strategy to eliminate poverty
Baghdad ( – The Iraqi Ministry of Planning revealed on Wednesday that it is working on a strategy to reduce poverty in the country. The spokesperson for the Iraqi Ministry of Planning, Abdul Zahra Al-Hindawi, told Shafaq News that a five-year plan is being prepared to help the people in need and most vulnerable members of society through different approaches, including health, education, housing, services, income, and food security. The government's approach also involves mitigating the effects of climate change, including drought, desertification, and the waves of migration that accompany these phenomena, according to Al-Hindawi. The Iraqi official added that the government's new approach will involve the ministries of health, education, higher education, labor and social affairs, construction and housing, local governments, and the private sector. The Planning Ministry has finalized the final draft of the strategy, and a public statement will be made after the necessary administrative procedures are completed, according to Al-Hindawi. In February, the Iraqi Ministry of Planning revealed the results of a socioeconomic study of families in the country, performed in collaboration with the Kurdistan region of Iraq, which found that the poverty rate had dropped to 17.5 percent compared to 20.05 percent in 2018.
