Free Iraqi Forces

The Free Iraqi Forces (FIF) is a militia made up of Iraqi expatriates, who served in the 2003 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.^[6][7]

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–present
Allegiance	Iraq
Headquarters	Baghdad, Iraq
Active regions	Iraq
Ideology	Civic nationalism State capitalism[1] Decentralization[1] Secularism[2] Welfarism[3] Federalism[4] Feyli interests (alleged, denied)[5] Anti-Ba'athism
Allies	State allies: (1991–2006)  Iran  Iraqi Kurdistan  United Arab Emirates  France  UK  Russia  Jordan  South Korea  Japan  Kuwait  China Non-state allies:  Hezbollah
Opponents	State opponents: Baathist Iraq Non-state opponents: People's Mujahedin of Iran
Battles and wars	Iraq War 2003 invasion of Iraq

Composition

An FIF soldier in an American camouflage uniform

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.^[6] Recruitment, however, fell well below the target number, and were of dubious military utility, ranging from ages 18 to 55.^[8]

Operations

Free Iraqi Forces (FIF) desert battle dress uniform with insignia (Private collection of P-E / Militariabelgium)

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.^[9] The units were also seen as undisciplined and pro-Shia and anti-Sunni, and engaged in looting.^[10]