Republic of Iraq Armed Forces

Republic of Iraq Armed Forces
Name	Republic of Iraq Armed Forces
Native name	القوات المسلحة العراقية
Caption	Flag of the Iraqi Armed Forces
Founded	1921
Headquarters	Baghdad
Commander in chief	Presidency of the Republic of Iraq
Minister	Ministry of Defense (Iraq)
Chief of staff	General Staff of the Iraqi Armed Forces
Active personnel	~200,000
Reserve	~60,000
Conscription	None (voluntary)
History	See ==History==

Republic of Iraq Armed Forces The Republic of Iraq Armed Forces serve as the principal national defense institution responsible for territorial defense, internal security, and expeditionary operations. The institution traces lineage through the Royal Iraqi Army, the Iraqi Army (post-2003), and the Coalition Provisional Authority-era restructuring, and has participated in major regional conflicts including the Iran–Iraq War, the Gulf War, and the Iraq War (2003–2011). Command relationships involve the President of Iraq, the Prime Minister of Iraq, and the Ministry of Defense (Iraq), while operational partnerships have included the United States Department of Defense, the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, and regional neighbors.

History

The armed forces originated with the Iraq Levies and the formation of the Royal Iraqi Army under the British Mandate for Mesopotamia, later evolving through coups such as the 1958 Iraqi coup d'état and into the Iraqi Armed Forces (Ba'athist era), which fought in the First Kurdish–Iraqi War, the Six-Day War, and the protracted Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988). After the Gulf War (1990–1991), the forces underwent sanctions-era degradation until the 2003 Iraq War led to disbandment under the Coalition Provisional Authority Order 2 and subsequent reconstitution with guidance from the United States Central Command, the NATO Training Mission-Iraq, and the Multinational force in Iraq. The post-2003 period saw battles against Al-Qaeda in Iraq, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, and participation in the Battle of Mosul (2016–2017), while political reforms have referenced the 2005 Constitution of Iraq and security sector reform oversight by the Council of Representatives of Iraq.

Organization and Command Structure

The chain of command places ultimate authority with the President of Iraq as nominal commander-in-chief and practical control with the Prime Minister of Iraq and the Ministry of Defense (Iraq), while operational direction is exercised by the Joint Operations Command (Iraq), the Iraqi General Staff, and theater commanders in Baghdad, Basra, and Erbil. Key agencies include the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service, the Iraqi National Intelligence Service, and the Iraqi Special Operations Forces Academy. Civilian oversight mechanisms reference the Iraqi Parliament committees and international mechanisms such as the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq.

Branches and Units

The forces are organized into the Iraqi Army, the Iraqi Air Force, the Iraqi Navy, and the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service with specialized formations like the Popular Mobilization Forces (al-Hashd al-Shaabi) operating alongside. Notable units include the Iraqi Special Operations Forces, the 10th Division (Iraq), the 7th Division (Iraq), and the Mechanized Infantry Brigades that trace traditions to units involved at Khorramshahr, An Nasiriyah, and Basra. Naval assets protect waters near the Persian Gulf and facilities at Basra Governorate while air assets operate from bases at Al Asad Airbase, Balad Air Base, and Baghdad International Airport.

Equipment and Capabilities

Armaments derive from legacy inventories such as the T-72 and M1 Abrams main battle tanks, BMP-1 and M113 armored personnel carriers, and artillery like the D-30 howitzer and M198 howitzer, complemented by air platforms including the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, A-29 Super Tucano, and helicopters from Bell Helicopter. Naval platforms include patrol craft and fast attack boats procured with assistance from the United States Navy and regional partners like the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy in historical context. Air defense relies on systems acquired during the Cold War and modernized through contracts with the United States Department of Defense, the Russian Federation, and Italy (state). Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability is augmented by drones such as the Bayraktar TB2 and SIGINT platforms sourced via bilateral agreements with the Republic of Turkey and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Training, Personnel, and Conscription

Training programs have been developed with the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command, the British Army, and the NATO Training Mission-Iraq, and institutions include the Iraqi Military Academy, the Iraqi Special Operations Forces Academy, and the Baghdad Command and Staff College. Recruitment is voluntary, with professionalization efforts influenced by the Iraqi Civil Service Commission and veterans’ policies referencing the Law of Martyrs and Wounded (Iraq). Personnel vetting has involved the De-Ba'athification Commission legacy, the High Judicial Council (Iraq) in criminal cases, and vetting assistance from the International Organization for Migration.

Operations and Engagements

Major engagements include campaigns against ISIS such as the Siege of Fallujah (2016–2017), the Battle of Ramadi (2015–2016), and operations to secure the Kirkuk Governorate; international missions have included deployment under the Multinational force in Iraq and contributions to United Nations peacekeeping operations by advisors and training cadres. Counterinsurgency operations have been coordinated with coalition partners including the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, and security operations frequently intersect with political events like the Iraqi protests (2019–2021) and territorial disputes involving the Kurdistan Regional Government.

International Cooperation and Defense Relations

Iraq maintains defense relations with the United States, United Kingdom, France, the Russian Federation, and regional actors including Iran, Turkey, and Jordan, conducting arms procurements, training exchanges, and joint exercises such as bilateral drills with the United States Central Command and partnerships with the Arab League security initiatives. Multilateral engagements involve the NATO Training Mission-Iraq, intelligence sharing with the Five Eyes-adjacent partners, and cooperation on border security with the United Nations and the European Union mission profiles. Strategic agreements reference the Iraq–United States Status of Forces Agreement (2008) and ongoing negotiations over basing, logistics, and foreign military sales.

Category:Military of Iraq Category:Organizations established in 1921