Author Archives: DJ Elliott

Iraqi troops are receiving training on 120mm mortars while K9 training is underway for both Army and police units.

The budget crunch has halted the expansion of the Iraqi Security Forces. The purchase of major weapons systems is up in the air.

A look at existing and planned ground components of the Iraqi Armed Forces at the end of Phase 3 development in 2020.

The recent announcement to cut three brigades in Iraq by the summer will halve the number of brigades in Iraq since the summer of 2007, while the number Iraqi Security Forces personnel has doubled.

The dramatic drop in oil prices has created a budget crunch that may impact equipment purchases for the Army and police forces.

The transfer of control of provincial security will be completed by July; Diyala, Ninewa, and Baghdad are the last provinces to be transferred.

Kurdish press report Iraqi Army movements as a threat, but the purpose of these movements is to provide election support and the training of a new division headquarters and two new brigades.

The Iraqi Army is devoid of artillery assets, a crucial element that prevents it from operating independently. This is expected to change over the next several years.