Iraqi Republican Guard

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The Iraqi Republican Guard (Arabic: الحرس العراقي الجمهوري) (RG) was the core of the Iraqi military. It was originally formed to be Saddam Hussein's bodyguard but was expanded into a large military force. It was disbanded during the Second Gulf War.

There were between 80,000 and 100,000 troops in the Republican Guard itself, and an additional 15,000-20,000 troops in the Special Republican Guard (SRG). Not counting troops of the SRG, the Republican Guard fielded 2 Corps, consisting of 1 infantry division, 1 Special Forces Division, 2 mechanized divisions, and 3 armored divisions. The Special Republican Guard consisted of 4 brigades and 2 commands.

The Republican Guard were regular, uniformed troops, unlike the paramilitary Fedayeen. They were easily recognizeable because they had red boots instead of the ordinary black.

In 2002, it was reported that the Republican Guard and the Fedayeen Saddam were both training in urban street fighting and in guerrilla warfare. It is largely believed that some of the former Republican Guard forces loyal to Saddam Hussein are still fighting on the ground as guerrilla insurgents after the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

[edit] Order of battle

Two United States Air Force explosive ordnance technicians search for weapons and ordnance through a former Republican Guard facility near Kirkuk. A portrait of Saddam Hussein is painted on the wall.

1st Republican Guard (Northern) Corps
- 2nd Al Medina Armored Division
- 5th Baghdad Mechanized Division; a square division of four brigades, was able to be split into two small half-divisions.
- 7th Adnan Infantry Division

2nd Republican Guard (Southern) Corps
- Al Nida Armored Division
- 6th Nebuchadnezzer Mechanized Division
- 1st Hammurabi Armored Division

As Saiqa Special Forces Division- independent unit containing:
- A Special Forces brigade,
- Paratroop Brigade,
- Marine Brigade and
- numerous Commando units.

Special Republican Guard
- 1st Brigade (Security)
- 2nd Brigade (Combat)
- 3rd Brigade (Combat)
- 4th Brigade (Armored)
- Air Defense Command (Two Regiments, Three Batteries)
- Tank Command (Two Regiments)

On April 2, 2003, U.S. Brigadier General Vincent Brooks stated that the Baghdad division of the Iraqi Republican Guard had been "destroyed". Iraq information minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf responded that this was another American "lie".[2][3]