Armed Forces (Iraq)

Armed Forces (Iraq)
Name	Armed Forces (Iraq)
Founded	1921 (modern formations)
Country	Iraq
Allegiance	Republic of Iraq
Branch	Iraqi Army; Iraqi Navy; Iraqi Air Force; Popular Mobilization Forces
Size	variable (peacetime and wartime establishments)
Headquarters	Baghdad
Commander in chief	President of Iraq
Minister	Minister of Defence (Iraq)
Notable commanders	Saddam Hussein; Nouri al-Maliki; Haider al-Abadi

Armed Forces (Iraq)

The Armed Forces (Iraq) encompass the state military institutions responsible for the defense of Iraq and protection of national sovereignty. Originating from formations created under the Kingdom of Iraq (1921–1958), the modern institutions have undergone reform after the Gulf War (1991), the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and the Iraqi Civil War (2014–2017), interacting with actors such as United States Armed Forces, United Kingdom Armed Forces, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, and NATO-linked organizations.

History

Iraq's military lineage traces to the Ottoman Empire garrisons and the establishment of the Iraqi Army during the British Mandate for Mesopotamia. The Royal Iraqi Army fought in the Anglo-Iraqi War and aligned with Allies in World War II. Post-1958 Iraqi coup d'état reorganizations led to repeated military interventions in politics, including the rise of Ba'ath Party influence under Saddam Hussein and expanded forces employed in the Iran–Iraq War and the Gulf War (1991). After the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the dissolution of previous structures by the Coalition Provisional Authority, new formations formed under the Iraqi Interim Government and later the Iraqi Security Forces; the emergence of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant prompted mobilization of the Popular Mobilization Forces supported by Hashd al-Shaabi factions, United States Armed Forces advisors, and Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps influence. Post-2017 stabilization efforts involved reconstruction with assistance from NATO, European Union, Japan and regional partners.

Organization and Structure

Iraq's defense establishment is officially led by the President of Iraq as commander-in-chief and the Minister of Defence (Iraq) overseeing the Iraqi Armed Forces General Staff. Key components include the Iraqi Army, Iraqi Air Force, and Iraqi Navy, alongside paramilitary elements such as the Popular Mobilization Forces. The Iraqi Special Operations Forces and units modeled on the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service perform counterinsurgency and high-value targeting. Regional commands coordinate with provincial authorities in Basra Governorate, Nineveh Governorate, Anbar Governorate, and Kirkuk Governorate. Defense institutions interact with the Ministry of Interior (Iraq) for gendarmerie-like functions and with the Joint Operations Command (Iraq) for campaign planning. Procurement and logistics have been administered through offices linked to United States Department of Defense contracts, Russian Federation arms deals, and ties to France, Germany, and Italy.

Personnel and Recruitment

Recruitment draws from Iraq's diverse population, including Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen, Assyrians, and Yazidis, with enlistment policies influenced by conscription debates and voluntary professionalization. Unit composition reflects political arrangements among parties such as the Islamic Dawa Party, Kurdistan Democratic Party, and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, while vetting processes reference lists maintained after the de-Ba'athification in Iraq initiative. Notable leaders have included former politicians like Nouri al-Maliki and commanders mentored by coalition advisors from the United States Armed Forces and United Kingdom Armed Forces. Recruitment and retention face challenges from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant insurgency, economic conditions, and competing militia incentives linked to groups like Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq and Badr Organization.

Equipment and Capabilities

Equipment encompasses legacy platforms from Soviet Union and United States inventories: armored vehicles such as T-72 tanks and M1 Abrams variants, infantry fighting vehicles, and artillery systems; aircraft include F-16 Fighting Falcon jets, transport and helicopter fleets; naval assets operate in the Persian Gulf near Basra. Air defense capabilities combine radar networks and surface-to-air systems acquired from suppliers including Russia, China, and United States. Logistics depend on supply chains through Baghdad International Airport and seaports like Umm Qasr Port. Maintenance and upgrades have involved contractors from Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Rosoboronexport, and European firms under programs monitored by NATO liaison teams.

Operations and Deployments

Iraqi forces have conducted counterinsurgency and conventional operations in theaters such as Mosul, Fallujah, and Tikrit during campaigns against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Joint operations with United States Central Command and Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve coordinated airstrikes, special operations, and rebuilding of local security forces. Border security missions address tensions with Syria and Iran while maritime patrols in the Persian Gulf monitor shipping lanes near Strait of Hormuz. Peacekeeping contributions and training contingents have deployed to multilateral settings under United Nations mandates and bilateral exchanges with Jordan and Egypt.

Training and Doctrine

Doctrine development incorporates lessons from the Iran–Iraq War, urban warfare in Fallujah, and stabilization campaigns post-2003, with doctrine manuals influenced by the United States Department of Defense's counterinsurgency guidance and NATO procedures. Training institutions include the Iraqi Military Academy and regional centers that host exchanges with Turkiye, United Kingdom, United States, and Italy. Special forces training has drawn on curricula from United States Army Special Forces, British SAS, and regional advisors; programs emphasize combined arms, intelligence sharing with Central Intelligence Agency liaisons, and civil-military coordination with United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq.

International Cooperation and Assistance

International partners have provided financing, equipment, and advisory support, including major involvement by the United States through Operation Iraqi Freedom and later training missions, as well as military sales from Russia, France, and Germany. Multilateral frameworks include cooperation with NATO and security pacts with regional states such as Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Iranian influence has manifested through ties to militia networks and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps's advisory roles. Humanitarian and stabilization assistance has come from United Nations, European Union, and donor conferences hosted by World Bank partners. Ongoing dialogues address professionalization, transparency, and interoperability with coalition forces.

Category:Military of Iraq