Has anyone here heard of American deserters in the Iraq war?

[Papa]

I just read an article from Star Online about how the Iraqis have mixed feelings about Saddam, and it mentions American deserters.

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2003/12/9/nation/6865095&sec=nation

<snip>
He claimed too that in Fallujah and Ramadi, a number of US soldiers were deserting the army and Iraqis were helping them escape across the border.

“The soldiers come to the Iraqis for help. And they are taken to the mujahid (freedom fighters) who help them run away.”

He said each American deserter pays them US$500 (RM1,900) and is given Arabic clothes to wear as a disguise. They are driven across the border to either Jordan or Syria.

<snip>


Has anyone read of any reports, or heard firsthand of deserters? I wouldnt be suprised if it's true, but I'm not sure I believe it. Did we have many deserters in Viet Nam? Would freedom fighters actually help the 'enemy'? Wouldn't they be suspect that an American soldier was trying to root them out as a ploy?

Papa

[sistersofmercy]

1. Does sound fishy but I wouldn't doubt if there may have been a few.

I would love to know even if there was just one, I'd be willing to help.

[catmandu57]

2. I don't remember the source

but, a few weeks back I read where 1500 soldiers on leave from Iraq hadn't reported back to duty. This is not the sort of thing that's going to be trumpeted, and I really can't speak for the veracity, but I would think that more than a few took this way out.