Iraqi Ground Forces

Iraqi Ground Forces
القوات البرية العراقية
Founded1921; 103 years ago (1921)
Country Iraq
TypeArmy
RoleGround warfare
Size180,000 personnel (2023)[1]
Part ofIraqi Armed Forces
Garrison/HQBaghdad
Colors  Red
AnniversariesArmy Day
(January 6)[2]
EquipmentList of current equipment of the Iraqi Ground Forces
Engagements
Commanders
Current
commander		Lieutenant General Qassim Muhammad Salih
Insignia
Identification
symbol
Flag

The Iraqi Ground Forces (Arabic: القوات البرية العراقية), also referred to as the Iraqi Army (Arabic: الجيش العراقي), is the ground force component of the Iraqi Armed Forces. It was formerly known as the Royal Iraqi Army up until the coup of July 1958. The current commander is Lieutenant General Qassim Muhammad Salih.[3]

The Iraqi Army in its modern form was first created by the United Kingdom during the inter-war period of de facto British control of Mandatory Iraq. Following the invasion of Iraq by U.S. forces in 2003, the Iraqi Army was rebuilt along U.S. lines with enormous amounts of U.S. military assistance at every level. Because of the Iraqi insurgency that began shortly after the invasion, the Iraqi Army was later designed to initially be a counter-insurgency force.[4][5] With the withdrawal of U.S. troops in 2010, Iraqi forces have assumed full responsibility for the nation's security.[6] A New York Times article suggested that, between 2004 and 2014, the U.S. had provided the Iraqi Army with $25 billion in training and equipment in addition to an even larger sum from the Iraqi treasury.[7]

The Army extensively collaborated with Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces during anti-ISIL operations.

  1. ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 13, 2024). The Military Balance 2024 (1st ed.). Routledge. p. 358. ISBN 978-1032780047.
  2. ^ Al-Marashi & Salama 2008, p. 206 Al-Marashi and Salama note that the eighty-third anniversary of Iraqi Army Day was celebrated in 2004.
  3. ^ "Saudi Chief of General Staff Receives Commander of Iraqi Ground Forces". Defaiya.
  4. ^ "Measuring Security and Stability in Iraq" (PDF). U.S. Department of Defense. August 2006. p. 52. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2007-09-11. Retrieved 2007-09-07.
  5. ^ "The Gulf Military Balance in 2010" (PDF). Center for Strategic and International Studies. 22 April 2010. p. 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 August 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  6. ^ "Iraq Withdrawal: U.S. Abandoning Plans To Keep Troops In Country". The Huffington Post. 15 October 2011. Archived from the original on 30 December 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  7. ^ "Graft Hobbles Iraq's Military In Fighting Isis". The New York Times. 23 November 2014. Archived from the original on 13 October 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2017.