Multinational force in Iraq: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

The United States-led alliance of the multinational force in Iraq which overthrew Saddam Hussein's regime in the March 2003 invasion of Iraq and occupied Iraq as the "Coalition Provisional Authority" until June 28, 2004 when the occupation officially ended. The force was led by the United States, which contributed more than three-fourths of the participating soldiers. Significant combat 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) may have changed when the new government asserted its sovereignty on June 28, 2004, the mission of the multinational force has remained has remained the same (see Iraqi sovereignty).

List of nations

The following nations have troops serving in Iraq in some capacity:

Over 5000 soliders

• United States - 140,000 troops in West, North and Central Iraq, planned reduction to 115,000 canceled because of intense Iraqi resistance in Al Anbar province and a Shia uprising in the South of the country in early 2004 resulting in heavy losses on both sides. 899 American soldiers have been killed in Iraq so far, 665 in separate insurgent attacks and 234 in accidents. In addition at least 44 American civilians and mercenaries have been killed in Iraq, 36 in separate insurgent attacks and 8 in accidents.
• United Kingdom - 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. Prime minister Tony Blair is considering 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 60 soldiers in Iraq, 32 in separate insurgent attacks, 6 to friendly fire and 22 in accidents. In addition 14 British civilian workers and mercenaries have been killed in Iraq, 12 in attacks and 2 in accidents.

Less than 5000 soldiers

• Italy - Independant contingent of 2,700 troops in South Central Iraq. Italy has lost 19 soldiers in Iraq, 18 in an insurgent attack and one in an accident. In March 2004, four Italian mercenaries were taken hostage in Iraq. One was executed in April and the rest were let go later in the month.
• Poland - 2,400 troops in South Central Iraq; also commanding a number of other coalition troops throughout Southern Central provinces. According to some sources [1] pull-out planned for the end of 2004, although all government officials have denied validity of that claim. However, minister of defense Jerzy Szmajdzinski announced that the number of troops will be significantly reduced after the Iraqi elections planned for January 31 2005. On July 21st, Al Zarqawi, the leader of the notorious insurgent group 'Tawhid', threatened to attack Poland in a message posted on an Islamic website, targeting three coalition countries: "Pull your troops out of Iraq or you will hear the sounds of explosions that will hit your country, at the time we choose." Polish Deputy Defense Minister Janusz Zemke announced several hours later that withdrawing troops would be a "terrible mistake". Prime Minister Marek Belka also said that Poland would not consider bringing home its 2,400 troops from Iraq in light of the new threat. Poland has lost ten soldiers in Iraq, eight in an insurgent attack and two in accidents. In addition, in June 2004, two Polish former GROM soldier hired by american Blackwater company were killed in Iraq in an attack. In addition two Polish journalist working for Polish television were killed.
• Ukraine - Independant contingent of 1,700 troops in Kut (South Central Iraq), currently not leaving their base, but intend to stay. Increase of troops possible. Ukraine lost seven soldiers in Iraq, three in an insurgent attack and four in accidents. Early in 2004, three Ukrainian engineers were taken hostage in Iraq but were let go shortly after.

• Netherlands - Independant contingent of 1,400 troops in Samawah (Southern Iraq). On June 1st, government renewed troop stay through 2005. Netherlands has lost two soldiers in a separate insurgent attacks. In addition, one Danish civilian engineer was killed in March 2004 in an attack.

Less than 1000 soliders

• Romania - 700 troops under Italian command (South East Iraq). In addition one Romanian mercenary has been killed in Iraq in an insurgent attack.
• Australia - Independant contingent of 250 troops. 600 more are stationed in Kuwait. Under discussion in view of the upcoming elections in Australia sometime in 2004. If elected, opposition leader Mark Latham has made public his wish to pull a number of Australian troops out of Iraq by Christmas 2004. Current 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)
• South Korea - 600 medics and engineers in Nasiriyah (South East Iraq). Expansion to 3,600 troops planned, but discussion still ongoing. Has refused to deploy its troops to Kirkuk as initially planned due to instability, so if South Korean government sticks to its current plans, 3,000 combat troops will deploy to Irbil (Northern Iraq) later in 2004. In early 2004, seven South Korean civilians were taken hostage in Iraq but were released the same day. Later that year in June, a South Korean civilian was taken hostage and executed following non-compliance from Seoul to the hostage takers demands.
• Japan - 550 troops 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". On July 21st, Al Zarqawi, the leader of the notorious insurgent group 'Tawhid',threatened Japan's troops in Iraq: "To the government of Japan: Do what the Philippines has done. By God, nobody will protect you and we are not going to tolerate anybody," said a statement signed by the group. "Lines of cars laden with explosives are awaiting you; we will not stop, God willing." A Japanese Foreign Ministry official announced several hours later that Tokyo would not comply. 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.
• Denmark - Independant contingent of 496 troops (submarine & warship, and a medical team). Denmark has lost one soldier in Iraq to friendly fire. In addition, one Danish businessman was killed in April 2004 in an insurgent attack.
• Bulgaria - 485 troops under Polish command, guarding municipal buildings and town centre in [Kerbala]] (South Central Iraq). On July 21st, Al Zarqawi, the leader of the notorious insurgent group 'Tawhid', threatened to attack Bulgaria in a message posted on an Islamic website, targeting three coalition countries: "To the crusader Bulgarian government, which is allying itself with the Americans, and to the Bulgarian people, we demand, for the last time, that you withdraw Bulgarian troops out of Iraq or we swear we will turn Bulgaria into pools of blood if you don't comply." Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov said his country "will not give in to the terrorists' pressure. We will resist." Bulgaria lost six soldiers in Iraq in separate insurgent attacks. In addition, two Bulgarian truck drivers have been killed in Iraq both in attacks.
• Thailand - 451 troops, currently not leaving their base, scheduled till September 2004. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced early withdrawal if the situation becomes too dangerous. Thailand lost two soldiers in Iraq in an insurgent attack.
• El Salvador - 360 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: "We decided a few weeks ago to send a third contingent of troops to Iraq in August." El Salvador lost one soldier in Iraq in an insurgent attack.
• Hungary - 300 troops under Polish command (Central South Iraq). Hungary lost one soldier in Iraq in an insurgent attack.
• Mongolia - 180 troops.

• Azerbaijan - 151 troops.
• Georgia - 159 troops. Plans to increase troops to 600. Sometime during the occpation, several Georgian soldiers were wounded in an attack but none died.
• Latvia - 122 troops under Polish command (Central South Iraq). Lativa lost one soldier in Iraq in an insurgent attack.
• Portugal - 128 military policemen under Italian command (South East Iraq). Investigating withdrawal. In June 2004 one Portuguese technician was killed in Iraq in an insurgent attack.
• Lithuania - 105 troops under under Polish command (Central South Iraq).
• Slovakia - 105 chemical warfare troops under Polish command (Central South Iraq). Slovakia lost three soldiers in Iraq in an insurgent attack.

Less than 100 soliders

• Kazakhstan - 29 troops.
• Czech Republic - 80 military policemen, Czech government has announced the troops will be pulled out in early 2005. In addition, a Czech worker was killed in an accident in April 2004.
• Albania - 70 Special Forces troops under US command near Mosul, announced troop increase a possibility.
• New Zealand - 60 army engineers, intended pull out in September 2004. In May 2004 one New Zealand civilian engineer was killed in Iraq in an insurgent attack.
• Estonia - 55 Special Forces troops. Estonia has lost one soldier in Iraq in an insurgent attack.
• 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.
• Singapore - 33 troops. Various news media were reporting that Singapore had quietly reduced its presence in Iraq from 191 to 33. It is unclear when the troops left the country.
• Macedonia - 28 Special Forces troops
• Moldova - 12 troops. The Washingotn Post, on July 15, reported that Moldova had quietly halved its contingent from 24 to 12.

NOTE: According to a BBC monitoring report, the Republic of Fiji Military Forces had abandoned plans to deploy a battalion to Iraq, for financial reasons.

In addition to regular troops there are roughly 20,000 private military contractors, usually described by militants as mercenaries, in Iraq [2]. 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.

• 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 declared the end of the mission on April 28 2004 with the withdrawal of the last 260 troops. While in Iraq, Spain lost 11 soldiers: ten killed in separate insurgent attacks and one in an accident.
• Honduras - 368 troops withdrawn by end of May along with Spain's contingent. While in Iraq, the troops were under Spanish command (South East Iraq).
• Norway - 150 humanitarian troops withdrawn as planned at the end of their mission on June 30 2004
• Dominican Republic - 320 troops withdrawn by end of May shortly after Spain and Honduras withdrew their contingents. 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 and Phillipino troops were out of Iraq, the hostage was let go. While in Iraq, the troops were under Polish command (Central South Iraq) and during that time several Phillipino soldiers were wounded in an insurgent attack but none died. In addition, four Phillipino civilian workers were killed by enemy fire in Iraq over April, May and June 2004.