9th Division (Iraq)
Encyclopedia
The 9th Armoured Division is a formation of the Iraqi Army
, originally formed probably around 1975, but disbanded in 1982. It was reformed after 2004.
The division was formed as part of the buildup of the Iraqi Army after the Yom Kippur War
. It appears to have seen its first action in the initial Iraqi invasion of Khuzestan, which began the Iran-Iraq War
. It fought in several battles in 1980-81, but then was so badly beaten in the First Battle of al-Basrah (Operation Ramadan
), in July 1982, that it was disbanded. The 9th Division was the only Iraqi division to be disbanded without being reformed during the war.
The Division was reformed after the recreation of the Iraqi Army began after 2003. It was certified and assumed responsibility of the battle space of north Baghdad Governorate June 26, 2006. One of the division's commanders has been Gen. Riyadh Jalal Tawfiq, who was eventually promoted to Lieutenant General and took over the Ninevah Operational Command. Other divisional commander have included Major General Bashar Mahmood Ayob (2006) and, as of April 2009, Major General Qassim Jassem Nazal.
The 9th Armoured Division has a territorial security mission in the region north of Baghdad
, but it is also one of the principal reaction rapid units of the Iraqi Army. After the renumbering of brigades of the army, its subordinate formations include:
As 2008 began, elements of the 9th Division were present at Mosul
(2nd and 4th Brigades), at Diwaniya with the 8th Division, at Basra
with the 14th Division, at Baghdad with the 11th Division (perhaps in view of the conversion of that formation into an armoured division) and with the 6th Division (Iraq)
.
The most likely candidate for newly-identified refurbished artillery is the 9th Armoured Division, which is in the process of replacing its armour with M1A1 tanks and M1126 Stryker armoured personnel carriers. (DJ Elliott, Montrose Toast, 2010, http://home.comcast.net/~djyae/site/?/blog/category/8/) The 9th Armoured Division has a history of equipping this way as it was originally formed using salvaged and donated refurbished tanks. Most of the Iraqi Army’s M113s are assigned to the 9th Armoured Division. As the 9th Armoured Division upgrades, its older armor is being redistributed to other Iraqi Divisions.
Iraqi Army
The Iraqi Army is the land component of the Iraqi military, active in various forms since being formed by the British during their mandate over the country after World War I....
, originally formed probably around 1975, but disbanded in 1982. It was reformed after 2004.
The division was formed as part of the buildup of the Iraqi Army after the Yom Kippur War
Yom Kippur War
The Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War or October War , also known as the 1973 Arab-Israeli War and the Fourth Arab-Israeli War, was fought from October 6 to 25, 1973, between Israel and a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria...
. It appears to have seen its first action in the initial Iraqi invasion of Khuzestan, which began the Iran-Iraq War
Iran-Iraq War
The Iran–Iraq War was an armed conflict between the armed forces of Iraq and Iran, lasting from September 1980 to August 1988, making it the longest conventional war of the twentieth century...
. It fought in several battles in 1980-81, but then was so badly beaten in the First Battle of al-Basrah (Operation Ramadan
Operation Ramadan
Operation Ramadan was an offensive in the Iran-Iraq War. It was launched by Iran in July 1982 near Basra and featured the use of human wave attacks in one of the largest land battles since World War II...
), in July 1982, that it was disbanded. The 9th Division was the only Iraqi division to be disbanded without being reformed during the war.
The Division was reformed after the recreation of the Iraqi Army began after 2003. It was certified and assumed responsibility of the battle space of north Baghdad Governorate June 26, 2006. One of the division's commanders has been Gen. Riyadh Jalal Tawfiq, who was eventually promoted to Lieutenant General and took over the Ninevah Operational Command. Other divisional commander have included Major General Bashar Mahmood Ayob (2006) and, as of April 2009, Major General Qassim Jassem Nazal.
The 9th Armoured Division has a territorial security mission in the region north of Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
, but it is also one of the principal reaction rapid units of the Iraqi Army. After the renumbering of brigades of the army, its subordinate formations include:
- Division Headquarters – Taji
- 34th Mechanised Brigade (Desert Lions) (former 1st Brigade)
- 35th Armoured Brigade (former 2nd Armoured Brigade) - Attached to 2nd Division, Mosul
- 36th Armoured Brigade (former 3rd Armoured Brigade) - Attached to 14th Division, Basra
- 37th Cavalry Brigade (former 4th Cavalry Brigade) - Attached to 2nd Division, Mosul
As 2008 began, elements of the 9th Division were present at Mosul
Mosul
Mosul , is a city in northern Iraq and the capital of the Ninawa Governorate, some northwest of Baghdad. The original city stands on the west bank of the Tigris River, opposite the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh on the east bank, but the metropolitan area has now grown to encompass substantial...
(2nd and 4th Brigades), at Diwaniya with the 8th Division, at Basra
Basra
Basra is the capital of Basra Governorate, in southern Iraq near Kuwait and Iran. It had an estimated population of two million as of 2009...
with the 14th Division, at Baghdad with the 11th Division (perhaps in view of the conversion of that formation into an armoured division) and with the 6th Division (Iraq)
6th Division (Iraq)
The 6th Division is a formation of the Iraqi Army, first formed after 1959, converted to armoured status by 1973, but disbanded in 2003. It was reformed as part of the new army in August 2005....
.
The most likely candidate for newly-identified refurbished artillery is the 9th Armoured Division, which is in the process of replacing its armour with M1A1 tanks and M1126 Stryker armoured personnel carriers. (DJ Elliott, Montrose Toast, 2010, http://home.comcast.net/~djyae/site/?/blog/category/8/) The 9th Armoured Division has a history of equipping this way as it was originally formed using salvaged and donated refurbished tanks. Most of the Iraqi Army’s M113s are assigned to the 9th Armoured Division. As the 9th Armoured Division upgrades, its older armor is being redistributed to other Iraqi Divisions.