Iraq: Bodies of 49 soldiers found

Iraqi police said today the bodies of 49 soldiers from the new Iraqi army had been found south of Baqouba.

Gen. Walid al-Azzawi, commander of the Diyala provincial police, said the bodies were discovered in an area 31 miles south of Baqouba.

“After inspection, we found out that they were shot after being ordered to lay down on the earth,” he said.

A US military source in the region confirmed the incident, but said there appeared to be fewer dead Iraqi soldiers, around 30 to 35.

Gen. al-Azzawi said the bodies were laid out in four rows each, with 12 bodies in each row.

“After inspection, we found out that they were shot after being ordered to lay down on the earth,” he said.

They were all members of the new Iraqi army and were training in Kirkush military camp in Baladruz.

He said they were probably leaving the camp on leave since many were from the southern provinces.

An investigation was underway, he said.