Baghdad, November 15 (RHC)-- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has dismissed over two dozen military officers and retired a further 10 in an anti-corruption drive.

"The military leadership should have competence, and this is an important thing, as it is not possible for someone who is not efficient to do his work properly," Abadi said via state television.

According to a statement issued by the prime minister's office, 26 military commanders were sacked for corruption and incompetence. It's not immediately known if the dismissed commanders were from combat units or held administrative positions. Abadi has also named 18 commanders for the new Defense Ministry posts.

The prime minister's military shakeup has been deemed an apparent effort to improve the Iraqi army's performance against the ISIL Takfiri terrorists. Iraqi army soldiers have been fighting the ISIL terrorists for nearly six months now. The troops have pledged to make more gains in their battle against the extremist group, which has large swathes of land under control in Iraq and Syria.