Iraq Army

Iraq Army
Name	Iraq Army
Founded	1921
Country	Iraq
Allegiance	Iraqi Armed Forces
Branch	Iraqi Ground Forces Command
Type	Army
Role	Land warfare
Size	2024
Garrison	Baghdad

Iraq Army The Iraqi Army traces its origins to institutions formed under the British Mandate for Mesopotamia, evolving through monarchic Kingdom of Iraq (1921–1958), republican Iraq, Ba'athist rule under Saddam Hussein, and post-2003 reconstruction amid the Iraq War (2003–2011), the ISIS insurgency, and subsequent stabilization. It has been reshaped by interactions with regional powers such as Iran, intervention by United States forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and assistance from organizations including the NATO Training Mission-Iraq and the Coalition Provisional Authority.

History

The army formed in the aftermath of World War I under guidance from the British Army and officers trained at institutions like the Staff College, Camberley and later expanded during the Anglo-Iraqi Treaty (1930) era; it fought in the Anglo-Iraqi War and participated in the Kuwait crisis following the Iran–Iraq War and throughout the Gulf War coalition confrontations. During the Ba'athist period, forces were centralized under figures such as Saddam Hussein and commanders from the Republican Guard and engaged in operations against Kurdish–Iraqi conflict insurgents and in the Al-Anfal campaign. After the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the army was disbanded by the Coalition Provisional Authority Order 2 and later reformed under the Iraqi Ministry of Defense with assistance from the Multi-National Force – Iraq; it subsequently confronted the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant across battles like Mosul campaign (2016–2017), the Battle of Tikrit (2015), and operations supported by Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve.

Organization and Structure

The force is organized under the Iraqi Armed Forces and the Iraqi Ministry of Defense into regional corps, brigades, and divisions modeled on structures influenced by the Soviet Ground Forces and later by United States Army doctrine; command has alternated between centralized corps headquarters in Baghdad and provincial commands in Nineveh, Anbar, and Kirkuk. Elite formations historically included the Republican Guard and the Iraqi Special Operations Forces such as the Golden Division, while support elements derive logistics practices from precedents set by the British Army and organizational reforms advised by the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. Leadership has featured ministers from political parties like Dawa Party and figures appointed by presidents including Jalal Talabani and Barham Salih.

Equipment and Armaments

Armament inventories have combined legacy Soviet Union-era systems such as the T-72 and BMP-1 with Western equipment supplied by the United States and allies, including M1 Abrams variants, Humvee, and small arms like the AK-47 and M16 rifle. Air-defense and artillery commonly include systems procured from Russia, China, and domestic production influenced by technicians from Iran and contractors associated with United Kingdom firms; procurement initiatives have involved deals for T-90 tanks, Fuchs vehicles, and unmanned systems similar to those employed by the United States Air Force. Maintenance and logistics are supported by partnerships with organizations such as NATO suppliers, private contractors like Halliburton in earlier years, and regional suppliers in Turkey and Jordan.

Operations and Deployments

The army has conducted conventional operations in interstate conflicts like the Iran–Iraq War and the Gulf War and counterinsurgency campaigns during the Iraq War (2003–2011) and the Insurgency in Iraq (2011–2013), later focusing on counterterrorism against ISIS in operations like the Battle of Ramadi (2015–2016) and the Siege of Fallujah (2016). International cooperation has included training exchanges with the United States Military under programs such as the Iraq Training and Advisory Mission and logistical support by the International Coalition. Deployments have ranged from urban clearance in Mosul and Tikrit to frontier security on borders with Syria and Iran, often coordinating with paramilitary entities like the Popular Mobilization Forces and air support from the Iraqi Air Force.

Training and Doctrine

Doctrine has transitioned from doctrines influenced by the Soviet military doctrine of the Cold War to combined arms and counterinsurgency approaches promulgated by the U.S. Army and adapted through curricula at academies like the Iraqi Military Academy and training centers supported by the NATO Training Mission-Iraq and bilateral programs with United Kingdom and Australia instructors. Training emphasizes urban operations, combined arms maneuvers, and interoperability with coalition forces, using simulations and exercises modeled on NATO standards and lessons learned from operations such as the Battle of Mosul (2016–2017).

Personnel and Recruitment

Recruitment draws from Iraq’s diverse population including communities in Baghdad, Basra, Kurdistan, Nineveh, and Dhi Qar with enlistment policies overseen by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense and influenced by national reconciliation efforts involving parties like the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the Iraqi National Movement. Personnel challenges have included integration of former members of the Ba'ath Party, vetting tied to the de-Ba'athification program, and retention amid competition with militias such as the Special Groups; career development incorporates promotion pathways linked to courses at the Iraqi War College and exchange programs with the United States Military Academy (West Point) and allied academies.

Category:Military of Iraq