Popular Army (Iraq)

Iraqi Popular Army
Active1970–1991
DisbandedApril 29, 1991[1][2]
CountryIraq
BranchParamilitary
Gendarmerie
TypeLight Infantry
RoleFirst Line of Defence (1980–88)
Reserve army
Internal security
SizePeaked at over 650,000 in 1987[2]
Garrison/HQBaqubah
Basra
Tikrit
Nickname(s)Al Jaysh al Sha'abi
PatronSaddam Hussein
Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri
EquipmentSmall arms, infantry fighting vehicles, light artillery, MANPADS
EngagementsIran–Iraq War
Commanders
Last commanderTaha Yassin Ramadan
Insignia
Ba'ath party flag

The Iraqi Popular Army, also known as the People's Army or People's Militia (Arabic: الجيش الشعبي Al Jaysh ash Shaabi), was a paramilitary and gendarmerie organization composed of civilian volunteers to protect the Ba'ath regime against internal opposition and serve as a counterbalance against any coup attempt by the regular Iraqi Army.[2]

In 1987, the People's Army, standing at an estimated 650,000, approached the regular armed forces' manpower strength.

  1. ^ RCC order 118/1991 [1] Archived 2021-04-30 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ a b c "People's Army / Popular Army / People's Militia". Globalsecurity.org. 2007. Archived from the original on 2008-04-11. Retrieved 2008-04-24.

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