Keeping spirits high: Iraqi soldiers 'need drink to fight'

Keeping spirits high: Iraqi soldiers 'need drink to fight'
Iraqi troops battling to liberate Mosul from Islamic State group need a bit of Dutch courage, a top Iraqi politician has said, and urged Baghdad authorities not to ban booze.
1 min read
28 Oct, 2016
A stiff drink is what soldiers need in the battle against Islamic State [Getty]
Being on the front line against Islamic State militants group requires strength, determination and bravery. Oh, and a stiff drink.

The power of Dutch courage apparently knows no bounds.

An Iraqi MP has claimed troops currently facing a long and difficult battle to chase IS out of its last stronghold in the country need a stiff drink to help.

"Without it they may not fight," said Mashan al-Jabouri, a senior member of the al-Arabiya Coalition party, who says he will appeal the ban on alcohol, passed by the Baghdad government last week.

If sober, soldiers could jeopardise the long-awaited offensive against IS, and then the drinks are on Jabouri.