Iraq's Army Now Numbers Only 48,000 Men. Iraq's Pro-Iranian Shiite Militias Number Between 100,000 To 120,000 men

Washington Post: Iraq's pro-Iranian Shiite militias Are Leading The Groundwar Against The Islamic State.

MANSOURIYA, Iraq — Shiite militias backed by Iran are increasingly taking the lead in Iraq’s fight against the Islamic State, threatening to undermine U.S. strategies intended to bolster the central government, rebuild the Iraqi army and promote reconciliation with the country’s embittered Sunni minority.

With an estimated 100,000 to 120,000 armed men, the militias are rapidly eclipsing the depleted and demoralized Iraqi army, whose fighting strength has dwindled to about 48,000 troops since the government forces were routed in the northern city of Mosul last summer, according to U.S. and Iraqi officials.

WNU Editor: This is the first time that I am seeing these numbers published in a western news organization .... the Iranian backed Iraqi-militias have 100,000 to 120,000 men and the Iraqi army has dwindled to about 48,000. If these numbers are true .... this tells me that the Iraqi military has all but collapsed, and they will not be able to launch an attack (and consolidate ground) should they decide to go on the offensive. And while I do know that these Iranian militias are made up mostly of volunteers who are only equipped with minimal weapons and training .... it indicates a trend of where Iraq is going, and more importantly the role that Iran is playing. On a side note .... you have to wonder why is Iraq's Prime Minister Haider feeling so optimistic .... Iraq preparing to retake Mosul from Islamic State - PM (BBC) .... or more to the point .... why is the U.S. so optimistic?

The above video gives more details on Iran's support for these Shiite militias in iraq.