The multinational force in Iraq invaded the country in March 2003 (see 2003 invasion of
Iraq). After a quick military victory (attributed by some to "shock and
awe") the Coalition -- primarily an initiative of the United States
with major support from the United Kingdom -- hunkered down to a long
period of occupation.
The distinction between the characterization of the foreign forces as occupiers (see "Coalition Provisional Authority") or
liberators has become a matter of dispute in itself (see 2003 occupation of Iraq), as well as a matter of domestic concern within the United States. The
Bush administration declared that Operation Iraqi
Freedom was, as its name implies, intended to provide relief from tyranny -- and that it would promote stability in the
region and pre-empt an Iraqi attack on the US.
At the time, both major US political parties gave credence to intelligence reports that Saddam (A) possessed and (B) intended
to use WMD -- as he had on the Kurds. Bipartisan
support quickly dwindled after the invasion started, and the opposing Democratic Party began saying that the invasion would be
justified only if WMD were actually found in significant numbers in Iraq. When no more than a few old shells and inactive labs
were found, US support for the invasion dropped measurably.
On June 28, 2004, the occupation nominally
ended, but for those who question the legitimacy of the US-appointed interim governments the occupation continues. Indeed, the
expulsion of "occupation forces" is a major stated aim of guerilla
fighters. President Bush disagrees with the rationale of the insurgents:
- "...what is causing violence in Iraq is the fact that Iraq is heading toward freedom." [1] (http://www.worldtribune.com/bush43.html)
The U.S. contributed more than seven-eighths of the participating soldiers; assistance also came from the United Kingdom and several other allies. Although their status as Coalition
Provisional Authority (i.e. "Occupying Powers" under a UN resolution) changed when the new government asserted its sovereignty on June
28 (see Iraqi sovereignty), the mission of the multinational
force has decreased only by small numbers.
On September 7, 2004, the official
U.S. military death toll in Iraq reached 1,000 as U.S. forces struggle to put down the Iraqi resistance, which continues sixteen months after President George W. Bush declared the end of "major combat operations" in Iraq.
Falluja has emerged as a major headquarters of insurgents using a besieged city of
300,000 people to hide from near-daily aerial precision bombing. Parts of "Sadr
City," Baghdad's poorest neighborhood, have been reduced to rubble. Supporters of
the insurgents portray the bombings as deliberately targeting civilian non-combatants, a charge dismissed by the Pentagon which
says it takes great pains to target only guerilla forces.
List of nations
The following nations have troops serving in Iraq in some capacity and the numbers were last updated on 28th December
2004.
Over 5000 soldiers
- United States - As of July 2004 there were 140,000 US soldiers and
marines in West, North and Central Iraq; a planned reduction to 115,000 was cancelled due to losses and intense Iraqi resistance
in Al Anbar province and a Shia uprising in
the South of the country. An increase to 153,000 will take place in early-mid 2005. As of December 28 2004, 1,321 American military personnel from almost every branch of the US military have been
killed in Iraq: More than 5,300 American military personnel have been seriously wounded in action and returned to the US. Three
Department of Defense civilian personnel were also killed as well as two other US government civilians. In addition, 66 American
contractors have been killed in Iraq.
- United Kingdom - 8,361 (previous listed number: 7,900) troops in
South East Iraq; also commanding a number of other coalition troops throughout South Eastern provinces. 3,500 more are stationed
in Kuwait. The British forces command the Multi-National Division (South East) which consists of forces from several other
countries. Prime minister Tony Blair had considered an expansion of 1,500 to
2,000 troops to replace the troops of Spain and other departing nations. However,
military commanders as well as former diplomats criticizing US military tactics put
this into question. The UK has lost 76 soldiers in Iraq. In addition 18 British civilian contractors have been killed in Iraq.
See also: Operation Telic (operational name for UK's involvement in
Iraq) for further information on the UK's contribution. The UK has a further 3,500 soldiers at bases in the Gulf region.
1000 - 5000 soldiers
- South Korea - About 3,700 ROK (Republic of Korea) troops are officially
deployed in Iraq. The 2,500 men, mostly combat engineers of the Zaytun ("olive-peace") Division were deployed in late September
2004 to Irbil in the Kurdish-controlled region of northern Iraq, and combined with the 660 humanitarian troops that have been
operating in southern Iraq since April 2003, South Korea has the third-largest military presence in the war-torn nation after the
United States and Britain. 3 South Korean civilians have died in Iraq. There are also large numbers of Korean mercenaries, most
notably from the NKTS, a private Korean security company, operating in Iraq. They are estimated at between 70 to 700 in number
and most protect South Korean civilian assets as well as other coalition civilian assets.
- Italy - Independent contingent of 3,216 troops (as of February 2005, the 'Garibaldi
Brigade' is currently serving a 4 months duty, including Signal & transport soldiers, mech. infantry, engineers,
helicopterists and Carabinieri) in South Central Iraq, around Nasiriyah. Italy has lost 20 soldiers in Iraq, 19 in attacks by insurgents and one in a
vehicle accident. In March 2004, four Italian security guards were taken hostage in Iraq. One was executed in April and the rest
were let go later in the month. Later in 2004 two aid workers were taken hostage and then released unharmed several weeks later.
Two Italian contractors and two reporters have been killed by insurgents in Iraq. Italy has another 84 troops stationed on bases
in the Gulf. Italian officials have stated that they will withdraw their forces 'as soon as possible', at the same time A-129
Mangusta attack helicopter and more VCC 80 Dardo wheeled armoured vehicles are being sent to Iraq. In March 2005,
the Italian government announced that its troops would be withdrawn by September.
- Poland - 2,400-2,500 mechanized infantry troops in South Central Iraq; The Polish
forces command the Multi-National Division (South Central) which consists of forces from several other
countries. According to some sources [2] (http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/front/2004/0420/3783682793HM1SCALLY.html) pull-out was
planned for the end of 2004, although all government officials denied validity of that
claim. However, minister of defense Jerzy Szmajdzinski
announced that the number of troops will be reduced to 1,700 after the Iraqi elections planned for January 31, 2005 and all Polish troops could be out of Iraq by the
end of 2005. Poland has lost 16 soldiers in Iraq. In addition, in June 2004, two Polish contractors were killed in Iraq. In
addition two Polish journalists working for Polish television were killed. In a
statement released in July 2004, 'Al Zarqawi' released a statement threatening Japan, Poland and Bulgaria over their troop
deployments. He demanded of the Polish government 'Pull your troops out of Iraq or you will hear the sounds of explosions that
will hit your country.' Hours later Prime Minister Marek Belka denied, and deputy Defence Minister Janusz Zemke said pulling out
would be a 'terrible mistake.'
- Ukraine - Independent contingent of 1,589 mechanized infantry troops in Kut (South Central Iraq), currently not leaving their base, but intend to stay. Ukraine lost 9
soldiers in Iraq. Early in 2004, three Ukrainian engineers were taken hostage in
Iraq but were let go shortly after. The Ukrainian legislative body, the Verkhovna Rada has recently passed a motion to withdraw all troops. Seven soldiers were killed (09/01/2005)
as well as one Kazakh when they were trying to destroy ammunition in Wasits province. Ukraine's outgoing president has since
ordered officials to draw up plans to withdraw the country's troops home from Iraq in the first half of 2005 [3] (http://uk.news.yahoo.com/050110/325/f9zyw.html).
- Netherlands - Independent contingent of 1,345 troops (including marines,
3 or more Chinook helicopters, military police, a logistics team) in Samawah
(Southern Iraq). On June 1st, government renewed troop stay through 2005. Netherlands has lost two soldiers in separate insurgent
attacks. In addition, one Dutch civilian engineer was killed in March 2004 in an attack. The Algemeen Dagblad reported on Oct.
21, that the Netherlands would pull its troops out of Iraq in March 2005, at the end of the troop's mandate. Citing the Dutch
Defense Minister, the Dutch Government had reportedly turned down an Iraqi Government request to extend the Dutch contingent's
stay in-country.
100 - 1000 soldiers
- Romania - 830 troops (half infantry, the rest includes: an intelligence team,
military police, and de-miners) under Italian command (South East Iraq). In addition one Romanian contractor has been killed in
Iraq in an insurgent attack.
- Australia - Independent contingent of 400 troops. 500 more are stationed in
Kuwait. AAP Newsfeed reported on Oct. 18, that Australia, in addition to its contingent of troops in-country, also had in Iraq an
army security unit called SECDET, which is composed of 120 troops assigned to protect the Australian embassy. There is also an
Australian Naval LAST with a 220-man crew patrolling the Persian Gulf just off the coast of Iraq, http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,11800314%255E662,00.html. Prime minister John Howard plans for the troops to stay at least until mid-2005. (see also: Australian contribution to the 2003 invasion of Iraq). In November
2004, several Australian soldiers were wounded in an ambush but none died.
- Japan - 550 medics and engineers based in Samawah (Southern Iraq) on a humanitarian aid mission to rebuild local infrastructure, purify water and provide medical assistance. The reconstruction mission in Samawa limits the
troops' activities to "non-combat zones". 3 Japanese hostages were captured in Iraq in early 2004 but were released unharmed a
week later following non-compliance from Tokyo to the hostage takers' demands. Later, in a statement released in July 2004, 'Al
Zarqawi' released a statement threatening Japan, Poland and Bulgaria over their troop deployments. He demanded the Japanese
government to 'do what the Phillipines have done' and withdraw its troops, and said that 'lines of cars laden with explosives are
awaiting you' if his demands were not met. Several months later, one Japanese civilian was captured by insurgents and
killed.
- Denmark - Independent contingent of 550 troops including infantry, medics and
military police in South East Iraq near Basra at "Camp Danevang". Denmark has lost one soldier in Iraq to friendly fire. In
addition, one Danish businessman was killed in April 2004 in an insurgent attack. Denmark has plans to leave Iraq in early to
late 2006, although the government has not laid firm plans, and may stay on if requested at that time.
- Bulgaria - 485 mechanized infantry troops under Polish command, guarding
municipal buildings and town centre in Kerbala (South Central Iraq). Bulgaria
announced on Nov. 3 that it would reduce the size of its contingent in Iraq to 462 troops during the next scheduled unit
rotation. In a statement released in July 2004, 'Al Zarqawi' released a statement threatening Japan, Poland and Bulgaria over
their troop deployments. He demanded the 'crusader Bulgarian government' to withdraw its troops, and promised to 'turn Bulgaria
into pools of blood' if his demands were not met. Prime Minister Georgi Parvanov denied, saying 'we will not give in to the
terrorists' pressure.' Bulgaria lost seven soldiers in Iraq in insurgent attacks. In addition, two Bulgarian truck drivers have
been captured and killed in Iraq.
- El Salvador - 380 special forces troops under Polish command (Central
South Iraq). New President Antonio Saca took office on June 1st 2004 and promised to renew his troop contingent's stay in Iraq beyond the expiry of their
commitment in August, http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBXU2JQ63E.html, saying that a further decision would be made after the January
30th elections in Iraq. El Salvador lost one soldier in Iraq.
- Mongolia - 180 men in an infantry company.
- Azerbaijan - 250 troops. 100 soldiers were sent on the 29th of December
2004 http://www.bakutoday.net/view.php?d=11808 to
reinforce the 150 soldiers already in the country. The provide security for local Turkmen populations, religious sites and
convoys.
- Georgia - 300 troops including special forces, medics and
engineers. Sometime during the occupation, several Georgian soldiers were wounded in an attack but none died.
- Latvia - 122 troops under Polish command (Central South Iraq). Latvia lost one
soldier in Iraq in an insurgent attack.
- Czech Republic - 107 military policemen. Czech government has
announced the troops will be pulled out to the end of 2005. In addition, a Czech worker was killed in an accident in April
2004.
- Lithuania - 105 troops under under Polish command (Central South Iraq).
- Slovakia - 105 troops (probably chemical warfare company) under Polish command
(Central South Iraq). Slovakia lost three soldiers in Iraq in an insurgent attack.
Fewer than 100 soldiers
- Albania - 70 (probably special forces) troops under US command near Mosul.
- Estonia - 55 special forces troops. Estonia has lost two soldiers in Iraq in
separate insurgent attacks.
- Tonga - 45 Royal Marines. Arrived in Iraq at the beginning of July 2004 to augment
the I Marine Expeditionary Force in the Al Anbar Province.
- Kazakhstan - 29 military engineers. One was killed (09/01/2005) along with
eight Ukrainians when they were trying to destroy munitions in the Southern Wasit province.
- Macedonia - 33 troops (special forces). In late 2004
three Macedonian workers building barracks on American bases were executed after being captured by insurgents.
- Moldova - 12 de-miners and medics. The Washington Post, on 15 July 2004, reported that Moldova had quietly halved its contingent from 24 to
12.
According to a BBC monitoring report, the Republic of Fiji Military Forces had abandoned
plans to deploy a battalion to Iraq under the Coalition, for financial reasons.
Nations With Other Contributions
- Singapore - 180 crewmen aboard an LST ship in the Persian Gulf, protecting
oil terminals, interdicting traffickers and providing logistical support to other ships.
United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI)
- Fiji - 130 Fijian troops protecting UN buildings and staff in and around the Green
Zone, ahead of the Iraqi elections in January. ABC News reported on the 20th of October 2004, http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=183498, that the contingent (trained, equipped and transported to
Iraq by Australia) would be deployed the following month. 3 Fijian contractors have been killed in Iraq.
Nations no longer participating in ground operations
- Nicaragua - 230 troops left in February 2004, no replacement, attributed to financial reasons. While in Iraq, the troops were under Spanish command.
- Spain - had 1,300 troops in Najaf and
commanded the troops of Honduras, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, and of
Nicaragua. Newly elected Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero fulfilled one of
his campaign pledges and declared the end of the mission on April 28, 2004 with the withdrawal of the last 260 troops. While in Iraq, Spain lost 11 military personnel:
ten killed in separate insurgent attacks and one in an accident.
- Honduras - 368 troops withdrawn by end of May along with Spain's contingent,
citing that the troops were sent there for reconstruction, not combat. While in Iraq, the troops were under Spanish command
(South East Iraq)
- Norway - 140 of 150 humanitarian troops withdrawn on June 30, 2004 citing growing domestic opposition and the need for the troops
elsewhere; approximately ten liaison troops remain. The Bondevik II administration insists the troops were never part of the
invasion force, citing a UN humanitarian mandate. This does not seem to have come to the attention of the international
community, as the Al Quaida on at least two occasions has included Norway in videotaped threats, and US organizations have
included Norway on their lists of participating nations. The actual status of Norwegian engineering and administrative personnel
past and present are still a matter of domestic controversy, in part because troops serving in a war zone are entitled to better
pay.
- Dominican Republic - 302 troops withdrawn by end of May
shortly after Spain and Honduras withdrew their contingents, citing growing domestic opposition. While in Iraq, the troops were
under Spanish command (South East Iraq).
- Philippines - 51 medics, engineers and soldiers withdrawn July 14 2004 in
response to kidnapping of a truck driver. When the hostage takers' demands were met (Filipino troops out of Iraq), the hostage
was released. While in Iraq, the troops were under Polish command (Central South Iraq) and during that time several Filipino
soldiers were wounded in an insurgent attack but none died. In addition, four Filipino civilian workers were killed by insurgents
in Iraq over April, May and June 2004.
- Thailand - Withdrawal of last 100 troops from Thailand's 423-strong
humanitarian contingent completed on 10th September 2004, in accordance with Thailand's mandate in Iraq which expired in
September. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had previously
announced early withdrawal if the situation became too dangerous. Thailand lost two soldiers in Iraq in an insurgent attack.
- Hungary - Hungary's contingent of 300 transportation troops had begun arriving
home in Budapest from Iraq on the 22nd of December 2004, reported AFP. All of Hungary's troops were reported by the Defence
Ministry to have left Iraq by the end of that day day. While in Iraq one Hungarian soldier was killed in an insurgent attack. One
Hungarian contractor was also shot dead by American troops in a friendly-fire accident.
- New Zealand - Unit of 60 military engineers, known as Task Force Rake,
was withdrawn from Iraq on 15th September 2004 at the expiration of their mandate. While in Iraq the unit was under British
command (South East Iraq) and was based in Basra. One New Zealand contractor was killed in Iraq.
- Portugal - had 128 military policemen under Italian command (South East Iraq).
Troops were withdrawn on Feb. 12th, 2005. In June 2004 one Portuguese technician was killed in Iraq in an insurgent attack.
- Singapore - 160 humanitarian troops withdrawn from Iraq on April 4th 2004 at
the expiration of their mandate.
Nations planning/considering to send/increase personnel in Iraq
- On September 6, Armenia
announced it would deploy 46 troops to Iraq, http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20041224-1053-armenia-iraq.html. The troop's role would ostensibly
only be to only conduct humanitarian operations. They would be assigned to the Polish Area of Responsibility. It was not exactly
clear when the troops would be deployed, though it could happen as early as January 2005.
- Hungary is set to deploy 150 non-combat troops to Iraq in mid-2005, as part of a NATO training mission, a mission which does
not require parliamentary approval, http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?ID=34756. They will be separate from the Coalition forces.
- 500 separate Georgian troops will be deployed for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) sometime in 2005,
http://www.spacewar.com/2003/031213105523.e29omere.html, bringing the Georgian troop contingent to around
800.
- Rumour has it that Thailand and Albania may send 200 and 130(more) troops respectively to Iraq on the request of the
US and the UN.
- On the 12th October, the Romanian Defence Minister highlighted the possibility of sending 100 Romanian troops to take part in
the UNAMI.
Private military contractors
In addition to regular troops there are roughly 20,000 private military contractors, described by some as mercenaries, in Iraq [4] (http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/19/international/middleeast/19SECU.html). This is more than
twice the number of boots on the ground than the second largest group of troops of the participating nations, United
Kingdom. These contractors also differ from regular troops as they are outside a Uniform Code of Military Justice, and have little or no legal accountability, making
them especially feared and unpopular with the Iraqi population. However under the Geneva Conventions private contractors, along with everyone in Iraq, may be tried by fair and impartial
military tribunals set up by one of the Occupying Powers. There have been unconfirmed reports of more than 40,000 'private
military contractors' or 'mercenaries' operating in Iraq in December 2004.
External links
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