Iraqi PM Orders Changes in Military Leadership

Following spike in deaths due to attacks from militants

Iraq's prime minister has ordered a shake-up of his military command after a weeklong spike of militant attacks that has killed nearly 300 people, by far the highest toll since the U.S. withdrew its forces in late 2011, an official said Wednesday.

The shake-up will include commanders of divisions and operations, said Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Moussawi.

It indicates the depth of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's dissatisfaction with the military for failing to keep the peace in the country, which is instead hurtling downhill toward the brink of sectarian civil war. As premier, al-Maliki is the commander in chief of the armed forces.