BAGHDAD (MEMO) – The Iraqi government headed by Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi has approved a draft conscription law 18 years after it was cancelled, Anadolu reported.
A statement published by Al-Kadhimi’s office said that the Ministerial Council had approved the draft law after it was reviewed by the State Shura Council. The law is now expected to be discussed and approved by parliament in its next meeting.
Taking to Twitter, Al-Kadhimi wrote: “Today, we achieved what we had pledged to achieve since we took up the post of Prime Minister in front of the people and history. We approved the conscription law and proposed the future generation fund which aims to protect them from full dependence on oil.”
He added: “We will go ahead towards the early elections as per our promise.”
In 2003, the civil American ruler of Iraq, Paul Primer, ordered the dissolution of the Iraqi army and cancelled forced conscription.