The 36th Commando Battalion (36th CDO BN)[1][2] is one of several Iraqi special operations forces units created after the fall of the Saddam Hussein. Originally part of the Iraqi Special Operations Forces Brigade (ISOF BDE), the unit has a role comparable to that of the United States Army Rangers.[3] The unit is now designated as the 1st Commando Battalion, part of the 1st Special Operations Brigade.[4][5]
| 36th Commando Battalion | |
|---|---|
 36th Commando Battalion patch | |
| Active | 26 December 2003 – present |
| Country |  Iraq |
| Branch | Iraqi Army/Counter Terrorist Bureau |
| Type | Special operations forces |
| Role | Air assault Anti-tank warfare Artillery observer Bomb disposal CBRN defense Clandestine operation Close-quarters combat Combat search and rescue Counterterrorism Covert operation Desert warfare Direct action Executive protection Force protection Forward air control Hostage rescue HUMINT Irregular warfare Long-range penetration Manhunt Military intelligence Mountain warfare Parachuting Raiding Reconnaissance Special operations Special reconnaissance Urban warfare |
| Size | Battalion |
| Part of | 1st Special Operations Brigade, Iraqi Counter Terrorist Command |
| Nickname(s) |
|
| Engagements |
|
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lt. Gen Karim Abboud Muhammad |
| Notable commanders | Maj. Gen. Fadhil al-Barwari (Commander of the 36th Commando Battalion) |
The unit was formerly known as the 36th Iraqi Civil Defense Corps Battalion.[6]
History edit
On 25 November 2003, a decision was made between the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), the Commander United States Central Command (CDRCENTCOM), the Commander Combined Joint Task Force 7 (CDR CJTF-7), and the Iraqi Governing Council (IGC). These elements agreed to form a Baghdad-based, 500-man battalion by integrating militiamen from five (5) Political Parties: Iraqi National Accord (INA), Iraqi National Congress (INC), Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP), Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), and Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI).[7] The idea was to create a special forces unit that would be composed of Iraqis from various ethnic and religious groups.[8]
In late 2003, the CJSOTF-AP (Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Arabian Peninsula) made plans to put the 36th CDO BN under the control of the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Force (ICTF).[9] Initial recruits sent to be trained with the 36th CDO BN were given table tennis paddles to publicly hide their activities that they were going for SOF training.[9] Recruits who changed their mind to join the battalion were taken off the roster.[9] The unit changed its name to the 1st Commando Battalion after the Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF) Brigade was created in July 2005.[9]
During the war against the Islamic State in 2017, the battalion was known to be militarily and politically reliable as they fought ISIL fighters instead of abandoning their positions[10] unlike other military units like the Iraqi Army's 2nd Division.[11]
Operations edit
36th CDO BN forces were involved in Najaf in August 2004, nearly raiding Sadr's hideout if he did not choose to give up.[9] In November 2004, 36th CDO BN forces were deployed to Fallujah alongside US Marines to flush out anti-government insurgents,[9][12] taking control of a hospital from insurgents.[13] They were also involved in Samarra, engaged in anti-insurgency operations in September 2004.[9][14]
The 36th CDO BN was involved in anti-ISIL operations, engaging ISIL fighters in Mosul in 2017.[10]
Organization edit
The 36th CDO BN was organized based on the structure of the US Army Special Forces.[4]
In 2004, the 36th CDO BN had 400 operators, trained by 17 US Special Forces advisors.[15]
As of 2023, the unit is under the command of the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service.[16]
References edit
- ^ "Tal Afar: Battle at the 'Gates of Hell'". September 2017.
- ^ "New Iraqi Army-36th Commando Battalion".
- ^ https://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1039654-2,00.html
- ^ a b David Witty. "The Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service" (PDF). Brookings. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2017.
- ^ "The Golden Division: Elite US-trained commando unit retaking Mosul from Isis". 5 November 2016.
- ^ Eisenstadt, Michael (26 October 2004). "The Iraqi Security Forces (Part I): Background and Current Status". The Washington Institute. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
- ^ Otterman, Sharon (16 February 2005). "Iraq: Security Forces". Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
- ^ "Who Are Iraq's 36Th?". 28 November 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g https://irp.fas.org/agency/dod/socom/2007history.pdf
- ^ a b "The Best Thing America Built In Iraq: Iraq's Counter-Terrorism Service and the Long War Against Militancy". War on the Rocks. 19 July 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
- ^ "Inside the Collapse of the Iraqi Army's 2nd Division". War on the Rocks. 1 July 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
- ^ "U.S. Marines in battle: Fallujah" (PDF). usmcu.edu. November–December 2004. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
- ^ "Marine Forces Reserve Operational History Global War on Terror (2004 – 2007)" (PDF). marforres.marines.mil. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
- ^ "Fighting in Samarra, Iraq". CNN. 4 October 2004. Archived from the original on 11 March 2007.
- ^ Kenneth W. Estes (2009). "U.S. Marine Corps Operations in Iraq, 2003–2006" (PDF). fas.org. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
- ^ https://www.socom.mil/TipOfTheSpear/July%202005%20Tip%20of%20the%20Spear.pdf
