The new Iraqi government's anti-corruption campaign has uncovered the existence of thousands of so-called "fadhaiyin" or "ghost soldiers" in the ranks of its military.

Officials found out that 50,000 soldiers on the army payroll do not show up for work or exist only on paper. The number is equivalent to no less than four army divisions and the practice is now being blamed for Iraqi defeats at the hands of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) fighters, notably in the town of Mosul, in June.

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The discovery came on the heels of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's pledge when he took office in September to root out corruption and to strengthen his forces in the midst of heightened ISIS attacks.

Spokesman Rafid Jaburi said they found out about the 50,000 ghost soldiers after meticulously going through the army documents. They will also conduct a field search to put a stop to this corrupt activity, he added.

In last June's fighting in Mosul, local officials said a 25,000-man force was supposed to protect the beleaguered city. In truth, however, the number was closer to 10,000 soldiers and police. The battle resulted in a lopsided victory for ISIS.

"Fadhaiyin" (literally translated as "space men") are army regulars who pay their superiors part of their salaries so that they can stay at home and not report for duty, said a veteran of the security forces. The level of corruption increases, the bigger the military unit, he said.

"A brigade commander usually has 30, 40 or more soldiers who stay at home or don't exist," the veteran explained. "The problem is that he too, to keep his job as a brigade commander, has to bribe his own hierarchical superiors with huge amounts of money."

Since September, dozens of military and Interior Ministry officials from the previous regime had either been booted out or retired by Haider al-Abadi.

The United States pulled out of Iraq in 2011 after spending billions of dollars to beef up the country's armed forces. US military advisers are back though as ISIS strengthens its positions in the northern and western parts of Iraq.

The result of the investigation into the ghost soldiers of the Iraqi military is yet to be seen.

TagsIraq, ghost soldiers, Anti-corruption, military payroll, fadhaiyin, ISIS