Iraq announces senior military appointments at Defense Ministry, army

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Defense Ministry and army have made several senior military appointments, including new heads for military training, an operational command and two divisions, according to a source familiar with the changes. The source said Major General Ali Abbas Munshid al-Lami was appointed head of the Ministry's Military Training Directorate, while Major General Sadiq Risan was named Assistant Commander of Maysan Operations. Major General Ahmed Shammari was assigned to command the Iraqi Army's 8th Division, replacing the previous commander in that position. According to the source, Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Abdulamir Yarallah appointed Major General Arkan Jamil al-Miyahi to command the 16th Division. The Army's General Staff did not release additional details on the new assignment. The source added that Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ali Zeydi has carried out a series of personnel changes across army, security and intelligence units in recent months.