WASHINGTON, Oct 21: The commander of a supply company whose soldiers refused to go on fuel convoy through Iraq's rebel heartland was relieved of her duties on Thursday, her commanding general announced.

Brigadier General James Chambers, commander of the 13th Corps Support Command, said he had "relieved the commander of the 343rd Quartermaster Company of her duties at her (343rd Commander's) request effective Oct 21".

"The outgoing commander is not suspected of misconduct and the move has nothing to do with the guilt or innocence of anyone involved," the command said in a statement.

"The outgoing commander will be reassigned commensurate with her rank and experience," it said.

The command, citing privacy reasons, said it would not identify the company commander who was being relieved of duty.

The army is investigating the refusal of 18 soldiers under her command to take a fuel convoy from Tallil, a base in southern Iraq, to Taji, north of the capital.

Pentagon officials say the investigation is centred on five of the soldiers.

Soldiers complained through family members in the United States that the trucks were poorly maintained and insufficiently protected. -AFP