As their superiors inspected a car mangled by one of three blasts that rocked Baghdad’s government center Tuesday, two Iraqi soldiers scoffed at the military’s shortcomings in protecting the capital.
For one thing, they said, checkpoints don’t stop those who are — or appear to be — influential.
The soldiers, who declined to provide their names because they were not authorized to talk, watched as authorities huddled over the car in an exclusive parking lot for government employees, near the Defense Ministry.
And the frustrated soldiers said they can do little to stop such attacks near government ministries, which left six people dead Tuesday, because they risk being criticized if they try to search the car of an officer or politician.
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nparker@tribune.com
