Iraq ex-PM Nouri Maliki blamed for Mosul fall to IS

More than 30 other officials including former Mosul governor Athil al-Nujaifi were also blamed in the report.

The militants seized Mosul in a sweep across north and west Iraq last year.

Mr Maliki, a Shia, is seen as having fanned sectarian tensions, leading to a growth of discontent in those mainly Sunni Arab areas captured by IS.

Hours earlier, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi cleared the way for a court martial of military commanders who abandoned their posts as another city, Ramadi, fell to IS in May this year.

The moves come as the current government continues a major campaign to combat corruption and mismanagement.

On Sunday Mr Abadi announced he was cutting eleven ministerial posts, reducing the size of the cabinet by a third.

Iraqis have staged regular protests in recent weeks against corruption and incompetence triggered by power shortages during a heatwave.

An Iraqi parliamentary panel has called for former PM Nouri Maliki to face trial over the fall of the northern city of Mosul to Islamic State.

More than 30 other officials including former Mosul governor Athil al-Nujaifi were also blamed in the report.

The militants seized Mosul in a sweep across north and west Iraq last year.

Mr Maliki, a Shia, is seen as having fanned sectarian tensions, leading to a growth of discontent in those mainly Sunni Arab areas captured by IS.

Hours earlier, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi cleared the way for a court martial of military commanders who abandoned their posts as another city, Ramadi, fell to IS in May this year.

The moves come as the current government continues a major campaign to combat corruption and mismanagement.

On Sunday Mr Abadi announced he was cutting eleven ministerial posts, reducing the size of the cabinet by a third.

Iraqis have staged regular protests in recent weeks against corruption and incompetence triggered by power shortages during a heatwave.

The fall of Mosul shook not just Iraq but the whole world, immediately transforming IS into the biggest threat in the Middle East.

When Ramadi fell four months ago, the effect was not quite so earth-shaking but it all but killed off hopes of a much touted Iraqi counter-offensive to win back Mosul this year.

In both devastating defeats, the Iraqi army was seen to have collapsed, despite its vastly greater numbers.

Parliament is due to vote on the Mosul report - days after approving sweeping anti-corruption reforms proposed by Mr Maliki's successor, Haider al-Abadi.

A key aim of all this is to bolster Mr Abadi's position as the battle against IS falters - but the moves will all also bring him into direct conflict with Mr Maliki, who will lose his vice-presidential post as part of the reforms.

(BBC)