The 36th Commando Battalion (36th CDO BN)[1][2] is a unit of the Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF) and one of several Iraqi special 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 (ISOF-1).[4][5]
| 36th Commando Battalion | |
|---|---|
 36th Commando Battalion patch | |
| Active | 26 December 2003 – present |
| Country |  Iraq |
| Branch |  ISOF |
| Type | Special operations forces |
| Role | Special operations Counter-terrorism |
| 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 2003-2004) |
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
edit36th 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
editThe 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".
- ^ "not found". Time. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ 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 "2007 History" (PDF). irp.fas.org.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Tip of the Spear" (PDF). www.socom.mil. 20 July 2005.
