Iraqi Federal Police

Iraqi Federal Police
Iraqi Federal Police · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Unit name	Iraqi Federal Police
Dates	2004–present
Country	Iraq
Branch	Ministry of Interior
Type	Gendarmerie
Role	Internal security, counterinsurgency, riot control
Size	Several brigades (varies)
Garrison	Baghdad

Iraqi Federal Police is a uniformed paramilitary force under the Ministry of Interior responsible for internal security, counterinsurgency, and stabilization operations across Iraq. Formed in the aftermath of the 2003 invasion of Iraq and reorganized through the late 2000s, it has operated alongside the Iraqi Army, Iraqi National Guard, and Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service during campaigns such as the Iraq War (2003–2011), the War against ISIL, and urban security operations in Mosul, Fallujah, and Tikrit. The force has received training, equipment, and advisory support from multinational partners including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and regional actors.

History

The force traces origins to pre-2003 internal security formations and was formally reconstituted amid post‑2003 invasion of Iraq restructuring of Iraqi security institutions. Early development involved integration of elements formerly associated with the Iraqi Armed Forces and militia groups following the Iraq War (2003–2011). During the rise of the ISIL in 2014, Federal Police brigades were expanded and deployed to counter the Battle of Mosul (2016–17), the Fallujah offensive, and operations in Anbar Governorate, often coordinating with the Peshmerga, Popular Mobilization Forces, and coalition forces led by Operation Inherent Resolve. Post-2017 efforts focused on stabilization, demining, and transitioning responsibilities to local and national institutions such as the Iraqi Civil Defence Corps and provincial police.

Organization and Structure

Organizationally subordinate to the Ministry of Interior, the force is structured into numbered brigades and regiments with headquarters elements in Baghdad and regional commands in Nineveh Governorate, Anbar Governorate, Diyala Governorate, and Salah ad Din Governorate. Command relationships have shifted between ministries and task forces, involving coordination with the Iraqi Army, Iraqi Air Force, and Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF). Units have included mechanized brigades, motorized infantry, and specialized riot-control companies modeled on concepts from the Carabinieri and Gendarmerie Nationale (France). Administrative oversight covers logistics, intelligence liaison with the Iraqi National Intelligence Service, and judicial interaction with the Supreme Judicial Council (Iraq).

Roles and Operations

Primary roles encompass urban counterinsurgency, route security along key corridors such as the Baghdad–Basra road, protection of critical infrastructure including oil facilities in Basra, and support to criminal investigations alongside provincial police directorates. The force participated in major operations: the Battle of Mosul (2016–17), the Fallujah operations, and the Ramadi campaign, integrating fire support from M777 howitzer-equipped artillery units and close air support coordinated with the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve. Federal Police elements have conducted checkpoint operations, convoy security with Humvee and armored personnel carriers, counter-IED activities in partnership with Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams, and detention operations in coordination with the Iraqi Corrections Service.

Equipment and Uniforms

Equipment inventories have included small arms such as the AK-47, M16 rifle, PK machine gun, and Dragunov sniper rifle, light armored vehicles including Humvee variants, M113 armored personnel carrier, and local up-armor kits. Heavy weapons and support systems reported in some brigades include T-55 and T-72 tanks transferred from Iraqi Army stocks, technical pickup trucks mounting DShK heavy machine guns, and armored personnel carriers acquired through United States Department of Defense programs. Uniforms range from standard police blues to camouflage combat uniforms supplied through foreign assistance programs; insignia and rank structure reflect adaptations from British Armed Forces and United States Armed Forces advisory templates.

Training and Recruitment

Recruitment draws from national pools in Baghdad, Erbil, Basra, and other provinces, with screening, medical, and background checks administered by the Ministry of Interior and provincial directorates. Training programs have been run domestically at facilities linked to the Iraqi Police College and internationally via advisory missions from the U.S. State Department, United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, and NATO-associated trainers. Courses cover counterinsurgency, urban warfare, crowd control, marksmanship, and human rights modules influenced by curricula from the International Committee of the Red Cross and United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq.

Controversies and Human Rights Issues

The force has been implicated in allegations of abuses, extrajudicial detentions, and sectarian reprisals during counterinsurgency campaigns, leading to scrutiny by organizations including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. Notable incidents during the War against ISIL era prompted investigations by the Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights and calls for judicial accountability from the United Nations Human Rights Council. Challenges in vetting recruits, corruption, and militia infiltration—often involving ties to actors such as the Popular Mobilization Forces and political blocs in the Council of Representatives of Iraq—have complicated reform efforts promoted by international partners.

International Cooperation and Assistance

International assistance has been significant: training and equipment from the United States Department of Defense, advisory support from the United Kingdom, material aid from the European Union, and bilateral programs with Jordan, Turkey, and Egypt. Cooperation extended to multinational operations under Operation Inherent Resolve and intelligence-sharing with the CIA, MI6, and regional security services. Capacity-building initiatives involved the United Nations Development Programme and NATO-styled police training modules, while demining and stabilization received support from NGOs such as The HALO Trust and International Rescue Committee.

Category:Law enforcement agencies of Iraq Category:Paramilitary units