Tragic death of army cadets prompts national outcry in Iraq

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani has ordered an investigation into the deaths of two cadets and the illness of over 100 others at the Fourth Military College in Dhi Qar due to extreme heat and physical exertion, Rudaw reported.

He dismissed the academy’s head, his deputy, and the regiment commander, and posthumously awarded the rank of Second Lieutenant to the deceased cadets, making their families eligible for compensation.

The Defense Ministry reported the cadets fell ill during the reception process after prolonged sun exposure, with nine initially affected and two deaths confirmed. The Iraqi parliament’s Security and Defense Committee formed a follow-up team to investigate and improve training conditions, closely monitoring the affected cadets’ health.