Iraqi Army

Iraqi Army
source
Unit name	Iraqi Army
Caption	Emblem of the Iraqi Army
Country	Iraq
Branch	Armed Forces of Iraq
Type	Army
Size	54,000 active personnel
Garrison	Baghdad
Commander	Mustafa Al-Kadhimi

Iraqi Army. The Iraqi Army is one of the main branches of the Armed Forces of Iraq, with a long history dating back to the early 20th century, including involvement in the Anglo-Iraqi War and the Iran-Iraq War. The army has been shaped by various events, including the Gulf War and the Iraq War, which led to the 2003 invasion of Iraq by a coalition of forces led by the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. The army has also been influenced by neighboring countries, such as Iran, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, as well as international organizations like the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

● History

The Iraqi Army was formed in 1921, during the British Mandate for Mesopotamia, with the help of the British Army and the Royal Air Force. The army played a significant role in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and the Six-Day War in 1967, fighting against Israel and its allies, including the United States and the United Kingdom. The army was also involved in the Yom Kippur War in 1973, and later in the Iran-Iraq War, which lasted from 1980 to 1988, and involved countries such as Syria, Jordan, and the Soviet Union. The army was rebuilt after the Gulf War in 1991, with the help of the United States, United Kingdom, and other members of the Coalition of the Gulf War, including France, Germany, and Italy.

● Organization

The Iraqi Army is organized into several branches, including the Iraqi Ground Forces Command, the Iraqi Special Operations Forces, and the Iraqi Army Aviation Command. The army is also divided into several divisions, including the 1st Division (Iraq), the 2nd Division (Iraq), and the 3rd Division (Iraq), which are equipped with various types of T-72 and M1 Abrams tanks, as well as BMP-1 and M113 armored personnel carriers. The army is led by the Chief of Staff of the Iraqi Army, who is responsible for the overall strategy and operations of the army, in coordination with the Ministry of Defence (Iraq), the Prime Minister of Iraq, and the President of Iraq.

● Equipment

The Iraqi Army is equipped with a range of vehicles, including T-72 and M1 Abrams tanks, BMP-1 and M113 armored personnel carriers, and Humvee and Land Rover trucks. The army also uses various types of artillery, including D-30 and M109 howitzer howitzers, as well as BM-21 Grad and M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System rocket launchers. The army's air defense systems include SA-8 and SA-16 surface-to-air missiles, as well as ZSU-23-4 and MIM-104 Patriot anti-aircraft guns. The army has also received equipment and training from countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, as part of the NATO Training Mission - Iraq.

● Ranks

The Iraqi Army uses a system of ranks similar to that of other armies, with ranks ranging from Private to General. The army's rank structure includes Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, and Brigadier General. The army's highest rank is that of General, which is held by the Chief of Staff of the Iraqi Army and other senior officers, who have attended institutions such as the Iraqi Staff College and the United States Army Command and General Staff College.

● Operations

The Iraqi Army has been involved in several operations, including the Battle of Baghdad (2003), the Battle of Fallujah (2004), and the Battle of Mosul (2016-2017). The army has also been involved in operations against ISIS, including the Battle of Tikrit (2015), the Battle of Ramadi (2015-2016), and the Battle of Kirkuk (2017). The army has worked closely with other branches of the Armed Forces of Iraq, including the Iraqi Air Force and the Iraqi Navy, as well as with international partners, such as the United States Armed Forces, the British Armed Forces, and the Australian Defence Force.

● Modernization

The Iraqi Army has undergone significant modernization efforts in recent years, with the help of countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. The army has received new equipment, including M1 Abrams tanks and M113 armored personnel carriers, as well as training and advisory support from international partners, including the NATO Training Mission - Iraq and the United States Army Security Assistance Command. The army has also established new units, including the Iraqi Special Operations Forces, which have been trained by United States Special Operations Forces and other international partners, such as the British Special Air Service and the Australian Special Air Service Regiment. The army's modernization efforts have been supported by institutions such as the Iraqi Ministry of Defence and the United States Department of Defense, as well as by international organizations, including the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq and the European Union Advisory Mission in Iraq.

Category:Military of Iraq