Iraqi Ground Forces

Iraqi Ground Forces
القوات البرية العراقية
Iraqi Ground Forces' insignia
Founded1921 (1921)
Country Iraq
TypeArmy
RoleGround warfare
Size180,000 personnel (2023)
Part ofIraqi Armed Forces
Garrison/HQBaghdad, Iraq
Colors  Red
AnniversariesArmy Day
(January 6)
EquipmentList of current equipment of the Iraqi Ground Forces
Engagements
Commanders
Current
commander
Lt. Gen. Qassim Muhammad Salih
Insignia
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. The current commander is Lt. Gen. Qassim Muhammad Salih.

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. It was formerly known as the Royal Iraqi Army up until the coup of July 1958. 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. With the withdrawal of U.S. troops in 2010, Iraqi forces have assumed full responsibility for the nation's security. 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.

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