Free Iraqi Forces
Militia who served in the 2003 invasion of Iraq
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The Free Iraqi Forces (FIF) was a militia made up of Iraqi expatriates, who served in the 2003 United States invasion of Iraq and its aftermath, under the control of Ahmed Chalabi's Iraqi National Congress government-in-exile. The specifically paramilitary branch of the program was also known as the Free Iraqi Fighting Forces (FIFF), while other elements served as interpreters or on civil affairs projects.[3][4]
| Free Iraqi Forces (FIF) | |
|---|---|
Flag of the Free Iraqi Forces (FIF), seen on Free Iraqi Forces militiamen’s uniform as a flag sleeve patch, and sometimes flown during the invasion of Iraq. | |
| Supreme Commander | Aras Habib |
| Dates of operation | 1991–2005 |
| Allegiance |  Iraq |
| Headquarters | Baghdad, Iraq |
| Active regions | Iraq |
| Ideology | Anti-Saddamism Democracy Factions:[1] Nationalism[2] Secularism[2] Islamism[1] Conservatism[1] Federalism[1] Monarchism[1] Liberalism[1] |
| Size | 500 (peak) |
| Allies | State allies: United States of America  Iran Iraqi Kurdistan
Non-state allies:  Hezbollah |
| Opponents | State opponents: Baathist Iraq
Non-state opponents:  People's Mujahedin of Iran |
| Battles and wars | Iraq War |
Composition
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The original intent of the American Office of the Secretary of Defense was to recruit and train 3,000 Iraqi expatriates in Taszar, Hungary in preparation for the war.[3] Recruitment, however, fell well below the target number, and were of dubious military utility, ranging from ages 18 to 55.[5]
Operations
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The program was seen as unsuccessful, with at one point some US$63 million spent to recruit and train 69 troops for the FIF, and the program was dissolved in April 2003. The FIFF never numbered more than 500 troops.[6] The units were also seen as undisciplined and pro-Shia and anti-Sunni, and engaged in looting.[7]