Shiite Troops Shy From Baghdad Service

by Tom Bowman, NPR

In the last week, as many as 100 Shiite soldiers have refused to deploy to Baghdad to help pacify the capital. A U.S. general says the troops preferred to stay in their predominantly Shiite area of southern Iraq. In the past four months, sectarian violence among Sunni and Shiite extremists has killed an estimated 10,000 Iraqis. Thousands of Iraqi and American troops have recently shifted to Baghdad as part of an effort to stem the surge of violence. The mission has been dubbed Operation Forward Together. Shiite troops make up about 70 percent of Iraq's army.

Broadcast Dates

• All Things Considered, August 28, 2006