2nd Division (Iraq)
Encyclopedia
The 2nd Division is a formation of the Iraqi Army
. It is headquartered at Mosul
. The 2nd Division is one of the most experienced formations in the Iraqi Army. The division is today engaged in totality in the city of Mosul
to assure its security.
It was certified and assumed operational responsibility for counter-insurgency operations in the city of Mosul
on December 21, 2006. The 2nd Division’s battalions are former Iraqi National Guard units, and most are manned predominately by Kurdish troops, some being former Peshmerga
militia units. Some of the division's soldiers frequently fought the former Iraqi army, which caused some problems to begin with.
Its subordinate formations include:
Three battalions from what was then the Iraqi army's 4th Brigade graduated basic training in a "march-on" ceremony at the Al Kasik Military Training Base west of Mosul, Oct. 15, 2004. 2005 reports indicate that the then 4th Brigade was a former Peshmerga formation.(http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/1228-03.htm) The 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division was formerly known as the 7th Brigade, IIF before the re-organization of the Iraqi Army. The 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Division is composed of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions. (Globalsecurity.org
)
As of March 2008, the 2nd Division's headquarters was at Al Kindi Base, and the division was commanded by Brig. Gen. Mutaa al-Khazraji.
Before being disbanded in 2003, the previous 2nd Division had been one of the four original divisions of the Iraqi Army, being active in 1941. Under Saddam Hussein
's rule it fought the Kurds in 1961-70, being able to reverse most of the Kurdish gains of their initial offensive of autumn 1961. However it began to suffer from desertion. In 1963 it was concentrated in eastern Kurdistan and probably took part in later offensives. The first Kurdish war ended with the Kurds being granted autonomy. (Kenneth Pollack, Arabs at War, 2002, p.156-158) The division was later present in Kuwait
during Operation Desert Storm. It was initially assigned to 2nd Corps in the Qasr as Sabiyah area, in mid January 1991, but had moved to just north of Al Jahra
on 24 February 1991. (Pollack, 2002, p.241)
Iraqi Army
The Iraqi Army is the land component of the Iraqi military, active in various forms since being formed by the British during their mandate over the country after World War I....
. It is headquartered at Mosul
Mosul
Mosul , is a city in northern Iraq and the capital of the Ninawa Governorate, some northwest of Baghdad. The original city stands on the west bank of the Tigris River, opposite the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh on the east bank, but the metropolitan area has now grown to encompass substantial...
. The 2nd Division is one of the most experienced formations in the Iraqi Army. The division is today engaged in totality in the city of Mosul
Mosul
Mosul , is a city in northern Iraq and the capital of the Ninawa Governorate, some northwest of Baghdad. The original city stands on the west bank of the Tigris River, opposite the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh on the east bank, but the metropolitan area has now grown to encompass substantial...
to assure its security.
It was certified and assumed operational responsibility for counter-insurgency operations in the city of Mosul
Mosul
Mosul , is a city in northern Iraq and the capital of the Ninawa Governorate, some northwest of Baghdad. The original city stands on the west bank of the Tigris River, opposite the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh on the east bank, but the metropolitan area has now grown to encompass substantial...
on December 21, 2006. The 2nd Division’s battalions are former Iraqi National Guard units, and most are manned predominately by Kurdish troops, some being former Peshmerga
Peshmerga
Peshmerga or Peshmerge is the term used by Kurds to refer to armed Kurdish fighters. Literally meaning "those who face death" the Peshmerga forces of Kurdistan have been in existence since the advent of the Kurdish independence movement in the early 1920s, following the collapse of the Ottoman...
militia units. Some of the division's soldiers frequently fought the former Iraqi army, which caused some problems to begin with.
Its subordinate formations include:
- 5 (Citadel) Motorized Brigade (formerly 4th Bde)
- 6 (Scorpions) Infantry (AAslt) Bde (former 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division)
- 7 Infantry Brigade
- 8 Infantry Brigade
- 2nd Motor Transport Regiment
GlobalSecurity.org
GlobalSecurity.org, launched in 2000, is a public policy organization focusing on the fields of defense, space exploration, intelligence, weapons of mass destruction and homeland security...
)
As of March 2008, the 2nd Division's headquarters was at Al Kindi Base, and the division was commanded by Brig. Gen. Mutaa al-Khazraji.
Before being disbanded in 2003, the previous 2nd Division had been one of the four original divisions of the Iraqi Army, being active in 1941. Under Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti was the fifth President of Iraq, serving in this capacity from 16 July 1979 until 9 April 2003...
's rule it fought the Kurds in 1961-70, being able to reverse most of the Kurdish gains of their initial offensive of autumn 1961. However it began to suffer from desertion. In 1963 it was concentrated in eastern Kurdistan and probably took part in later offensives. The first Kurdish war ended with the Kurds being granted autonomy. (Kenneth Pollack, Arabs at War, 2002, p.156-158) The division was later present in Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
during Operation Desert Storm. It was initially assigned to 2nd Corps in the Qasr as Sabiyah area, in mid January 1991, but had moved to just north of Al Jahra
Al Jahra
Al Jahra is a city located north-west of Kuwait City in Kuwait . Al Jahra is the capital of the Al Jahra Governorate of Kuwait as well as the surrounding Al Jahra District which is agriculturally based. Encyclopædia Britannica recorded the population in 1980 as 67,311...
on 24 February 1991. (Pollack, 2002, p.241)
External links
- Globalsecurity.orgGlobalSecurity.orgGlobalSecurity.org, launched in 2000, is a public policy organization focusing on the fields of defense, space exploration, intelligence, weapons of mass destruction and homeland security...
, 2nd Infantry Division