Pregnancy a punishable offence, says US Army

Faced with limited soldiers for the Iraqi War, US General in charge of northern Iraq has made getting pregnant or impregnating a fellow soldier a punishable offence.



General Anthony Cucolo issued the directive recently to the 22,000 US troops.

General Cucolo said the directive is meant to prevent losing soldiers at a time when troop strength is stretched thin.



He adds that it forms part of a wider means of restricting certain behaviour among troops.



Becoming pregnant or impregnating a soldier, now risks being brought before the court which hears government army matters.



However, pregnancy that arises from sexual assault will not be punished.