THE IRAQI ARMY AFTER THE INTERNATIONAL COALITION: A NEW PHASE OF PROFESSIONALISM AND READINESS
The Iraqi armed forces face a major responsibility to secure the borders and protect the country from any internal and external threats, following the withdrawal of the international coalition forces from the country.
This transformation comes as an opportunity to demonstrate the Iraqi army’s ability to assume full responsibility without relying on external support, with a focus on building a professional national army that is trained and equipped with the latest weapons and military technologies.
The history of the Iraqi army extends for more than a century, during which it has fought internal and external battles, from the Iran-Kuwait wars to confronting ISIS.
The spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, Sabah al-Nu’man, affirms that Iraq “is moving steadily towards building a professional military system based on field experiences accumulated in battles that were decided in favor of the state, and this vision is based on a unified national doctrine and the exclusive loyalty to the state and the constitution.”
Al-Nu’man adds to Shafaq News Agency that the Iraqi army seeks to achieve technical self-sufficiency by reviving military manufacturing and localizing military technology, while developing the air force, preparing for electronic warfare, and employing the army’s experience in urban warfare and confronting terrorist gangs, to become at the forefront of the region’s armies in terms of equipment and numbers.
Capacity building
Observers note that the “new” Iraqi army after 2003 relied on a volunteer approach to build a professional military institution, whose members choose military life voluntarily, while some experts point out that the “integration officers”, that is, the figures associated with political entities who were thrown into the army after the regime change, within the army affected the level of efficiency.
In this context, military expert Alaa Al-Nashou says, “Establishing a professional national army requires significant resources, and begins with forming military schools, institutes, and colleges to train officers and fighters, and proceeds to preparing military divisions and corps to lead operations internally and externally.”
Al-Nashou’ confirms to Shafaq News Agency that preparing a professional soldier is not limited to physical training only, but includes physical, psychological and tactical maneuvers that prepare him to deal with all military scenarios, from attack and defense to retreating combat.
The expert stresses the need to put in place mechanisms to ensure professionalism within the army, most notably keeping the military institution away from partisan and political conflicts, combating corruption and nepotism within it, and removing unqualified officers and ranks, especially “integration officers”.
It also calls for the need to grant military formations direct powers to confront any threat on the borders without the intervention of “armed factions,” and to form a military council of former commanders and officers to oversee the development of combat, organizational and moral capabilities, and to bring military personnel into training courses inside and outside Iraq, especially in countries with advanced military experience such as America, Europe and Russia.
Modern armament
Military experts believe that developing the air force has become a crucial element in protecting Iraq. Between August 2024 and October 2025, the Iraqi army received 15 American Bell 505 training aircraft, in addition to French Caracal aircraft designated for search and rescue, air transport and support for ground forces.
Observers note that these aircraft represent a qualitative leap in military training and pilot qualification, and contribute to providing fire support to ground forces and increasing their flexibility, at a time when Iraq is preparing to receive the Korean M-SAM air defense system during February to ensure the protection of the borders from any possible air intrusion.
In this regard, military expert Adnan Al-Kinani confirms that Iraq now possesses an advanced air force that includes fighter jets, drones, short, medium and long ballistic missiles, and an air defense system to protect the borders from infiltration.
Al-Kinani adds to Shafaq News Agency, “Iraq also has a local military manufacturing industry to provide weapons and equipment in the event of any potential aggression or difficulty in importing, and multi-specialty ground forces that include special forces, infantry, mechanized infantry, armor and artillery, and electronic warfare capabilities to counter modern threats.”
In conclusion, he notes the importance of having qualified national leaders to guide training, supervise armament, and carry out operations, stressing that the presence of unqualified leaders poses a threat to the army’s ability to protect the state.