Mosul will test US efforts to rebuild Iraqi army

Subject

US Iraqi Train and Equip Fund.

Significance

The US Department of Defense has requested an additional 630 million dollars for the Iraqi Train and Equip Fund (ITEF) in the 2016-17 fiscal year. This fund, hurriedly brought into existence in the summer of 2014, was developed to provide assistance and training to the Iraqi army in the wake of its disastrous performance against Islamic State group (ISG) forces. Forces trained under the ITEF will be a key component of the planned offensive to retake the ISG stronghold of Mosul later this year.

Impacts

• The programme is unlikely to continue once Mosul has been retaken -- although other funding streams will continue.
• Its success would strengthen the Iraqi army, thereby empowering central government against pro-Iran, hardline militias.
• Its failure would strengthen these militias and increase the prospects of a semi-permanent fragmentation of the Iraqi state.