History
The Iraqi Navy was officially established in the 1930s. At first, it was a very small force focused on river patrol and basic training. Over the next few decades, the navy grew in size and started to buy bigger ships. Its main purpose has always been to guard the Persian Gulf coastline.
During the Gulf War in the early 1990s, the Iraqi Navy faced a difficult situation. They were outmatched by the powerful ships of the United States and other Allied nations. Most of the fleet was damaged or destroyed during the fighting. The navy had to focus on mining the waters to prevent enemy ships from getting close to the shore.
After the conflicts of the 1990s and the 2003 invasion, the Iraqi Navy had to start over again. With help from other countries, they began building a new, modern fleet. They received new patrol boats and trained their sailors in current tactics to handle modern threats and protect trade routes.
Today, the Iraqi Navy is much smaller but more focused on patrolling the area around oil platforms. These platforms are very important for the country's economy. The navy continues to work with other countries to keep the waters safe and to stop illegal activities in the busy Persian Gulf.
