ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The Iraqi government has appointed Lieutenant General Ahmed Omran al-Janabi as head of the Military Academy, succeeding Nasser Ghannam, who was dismissed following the tragic death of two cadets under intense training.

Over 100 students from the 89th class at the Military Academy in Dhi Qar province suffered health complications due to high temperatures and physical exertion during a training on Tuesday. This led to the death of two cadets, and the admission of the injured to the hospital for treatment, including some in critical condition.

In the wake of the incident, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on Wednesday ordered the dismissal of Ghannam, his deputy, and the commanding officer of the relevant regime.

A security source, who requested anonymity, confirmed to The New Region on Saturday that Janabi has been appointed to replace Ghannam in the role.

The Iraqi parliament’s security and defense committee previously announced the formation of a follow-up team to investigate the circumstances of the deaths.

Khaled al-Obaidi, a member of the committee, described the death of two students and the injury of others at the Military College in Dhi Qar as a “non-accidental incident.”

In a statement on Friday, Obaidi said that the incident “is a serious indication of an administrative and organizational flaw in the training and care mechanisms within the military institution,” calling for “a serious, non-complacency stance.”

“Officers are not trained through cruelty and excessive stress, but rather according to modern military curricula based on conscious discipline, psychological preparation, and balanced, gradual training in an environment that preserves the lives of recruits and enhances their capabilities,” he added.

Surani also ordered that the rank of Second Lieutenant be posthumously conferred upon the two deceased cadets, reiterating the need for “proper and respectful treatment of trainees in military colleges.”