The Bush administration declared that Operation Iraqi Freedom was, as its name implies, intended to provide relief from Tyranny -- and that it would promote stability in the region and pre-empt an Iraqi attack on the United States At the time, both major US political parties gave credence to intelligence reports that Iraq possessed and intended to use Weapons Of Mass Destruction (WMD) -- as Saddam Hussein had exercised on the Kurd s. Bipartisan United States support quickly dwindled following the invasion, and the opposing Democratic Party began saying that the invasion would be justified only if WMD were actually found in significant numbers in Iraq. When only few shells and, reportedly, inactive labs were found, the nation's support for the invasion dropped measurably.
Nominally, the occupation ended on June 28 , 2004 , but those who question the legitimacy of the interim government appointed by the United States believe it continued. Indeed, the expulsion of occupation forces is a major stated aim of Iraqi Guerrilla Fighters . United States president Bush disagreed with the rationale of the insurgents, claiming that "''...what is causing violence in Iraq is the fact that Iraq is heading toward freedom.''" {Link without Title}
The United States deployed more than seven-eighths of the soldiers in the occupying coalition with the majority of other troops coming from the United Kingdom and the rest made up from several other allies. Although their status as Coalition Provisional Authority , or "Occupying Powers" under a United Nations Resolution , changed when The New Government Asserted Its Sovereignty on June 28, the mission of the multinational force has decreased only by small numbers.
As of March 10, 2006 the United States Department Of Defense has confirmed that 2,308 US troops have been killed fighting in Iraq as United States forces struggle to put down the Iraqi Insurgency , which continues years after President George W. Bush declared the end of "major combat operations" in Iraq.
As of late 2004, a Study by the British medical journal The Lancet said that around 100,000 Iraqis had been killed since the start of the invasion on March 19th 2003 as part of Casualties Of The Conflict In Iraq Since 2003 ).
As of March 2006, Iraq Body Count, which has been tracking American and Iraqi casualties since the beginning of military action in 2003, has estimated the amount of Iraqi civilians killed between 35,000 and 39,000.
The precise origins of the phrase are unknown, but it has been used since at least the late 1980s to refer to groups of nations acting collectively, often in defiance of the United Nations. Specific uses of the phrase in the context of disarming Iraq began appearing in mid 2001.
The first American President known to have publicly mentioned acting with a "Coalition of the Willing" in place of a UN Mandate was Bill Clinton . The phrase was later used by George W. Bush to refer both to actions in Afghanistan and Iraq , although usage primarily focused on the latter.
Iraq War critics such as John Pilger have pointed out that 98% of the military is from the US and Britain and is therefore accurately described as a predominantly Anglo-American force rather than as a coalition.
In a 2004 presidential debate, a democratic presidential candidate s and political commentators have mockingly referred to them as the "''coalition of the billing''." Another term, used by those who believe coalition nations lied about aspects of the war, is "coalition of the shilling." Due to the high percentage of states that were small, impoverished nations in need of United States financial aid, a '' New York Times '' editorial referred to it as the "Coalition Of Welfare States."
U.S. Senator Robert Byrd , ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee , has referred to the coalition formed for the 2003 invasion of Iraq by the Acronym COW, expressing his concern that the United States was being "milked" as a "cash cow." A Canadian MP Carolyn Parrish referred to the "Coalition of the Willing" as the "Coalition of the Idiots". She was reprimanded for these comments, and was eventually removed from the Liberal Party caucus.
Some of the countries in the coalition such as Romania still practice Conscription which makes the actual military composed of personnel that is not-so-willing to fight this war.
The following nations have troops serving in Iraq in some capacity and the numbers were last updated on 11th July 2005. Changes/updates as of 11th July, 2005
- - As of March 2006 there were around 132,000 , died of a heart attack after being cramped in an armoured vehicle for hours. Another, Steven Vincent was abducted and shot dead in July 2004 in Basra.
- - 8,361 (previous listed number: 7,900) troops in South East Iraq; also commanding a number of other coalition troops throughout South Eastern provinces. 3,500 more are stationed in , died in Iraq in March 2003 after falling from a hotel roof, while another was shot and killed in June.
- - About 3,300 South Korean troops are officially deployed in Iraq (as of October 1 2005). In early December 2005, the National Assembly voted {Link without Title} 10-3 with one abstention for the withdrawal of 1000 troops in the first half of 2006, thus approving a government proposal. The main tasks of the troops are to offer medical services and build and repair roads, power lines, schools and other infrastructure. The 2,500 soldiers, mostly combat engineers of the Zaytun ("olive-peace") Division were deployed in late September 2004 to Irbil in the Kurdish-controlled region of northern Iraq, and combined with the 660 humanitarian troops that have been operating in southern Iraq since April 2003, South Korea has the third-largest military presence in the war-torn nation after the United States and Britain. There are also large numbers of Korean mercenaries, most notably from the NKTS, a private Korean security company, operating in Iraq. They are estimated to number between 70 to 700, and most protect South Korean civilian assets as well as other coalition civilian assets. 4 South Korean commercial and technical Contractor s have died in Iraq: one in a building accident, while the other three were killed by insurgents.
- - Independent contingent of 2,600 troops {Link without Title} , the 'Garibaldi Brigade' is currently serving a 4 months duty, including Signal & transport soldiers, mech. infantry, engineers, helicopterists and . Italy has another 84 troops stationed on bases in the Persian Gulf. Recently, A-129 Mangusta attack helicopters and more Dardo tracked IFV are being sent to Iraq. In March 2004, four Italian private military contractors were taken hostage in Iraq. One was executed in April and the rest were released later in the month. Later in 2004 two aid workers were taken hostage and then released unharmed several weeks later. At least one reporter, Enzo Baldoni , was captured and executed by insurgents.
- - 1,500 Polish troops in South Central Iraq; The Polish forces command the private military contractors were ambushed and killed. One Polish and one Polish-Algerian Journalist were ambushed and killed in May 2005.
- - 830 troops (half infantry, the rest includes: an intelligence team, military police, and de-miners) under Italian command (South East Iraq). One soldier died in a Kuwait City hospital in March 2006, ten days after shooting himself in the head, and another was killed in a roadside bombing (along with three Italians) the following month. In addition one Romanian private military contractor has been killed in Iraq. Three Romanian journalists were held captive by insurgents, but were released in May 2005
- - 400 troops including special forces, medics and engineers. In June 2004, 3 soldiers were wounded in an attack on a US base, and in November 2005, four were wounded in a bombing in Baqouba. 500 more forces were deployed in June 2005 , for UNAMI including liaison officers.
- - 600 medics and engineers based in Samawah (Southern Iraq) on a humanitarian aid mission to rebuild local Infrastructure , purify water and provide medical assistance. The reconstruction mission in Samawa limits the troops' activities to "non-combat zones". Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's Cabinet decided on Dec. 8 2005 to allow its 600 troops to stay for another year, despite a poll by the Asahi newspaper which found that 69% of respondents were against renewing the mandate, up from 55% in January. 3 Japanese hostages were captured in Iraq in early 2004 but were released unharmed a week later following non-compliance from Tokyo to the hostage takers' demands. Later, in a statement released in July 2004, 'Al Zarqawi' released a statement threatening Japan, Poland and Bulgaria over their troop deployments. He demanded the Japanese government to 'do what the Philippines have done' and withdraw its troops, and said that 'lines of cars laden with explosives are awaiting you' if his demands were not met. In May 2004, a Japanese freelance journalist and his nephew were ambushed and killed along with their translator. A Japanese private military contractor was ambushed and killed in Anbar province in May 2005. Mortars and rockets have been lobbed at the Japanese camp several times, causing no damage or injuries.
- - Independent contingent of 550 troops including infantry, medics and military police in South East Iraq near Basra at "Camp Danevang". Denmark has lost three soldiers in Iraq: one to friendly fire and the two others other to separate IED s, while 2 were wounded in August 2005. In addition, one Danish businessman was killed in April 2004 in an insurgent attack. Denmark has plans to leave Iraq in early to late 2006 at the expected request of the Iraqi government, although Denmark has not laid down any firm plans and may stay on if requested at that time. Iceland had 2 EOD experts, a medical advisor, and some transport experts assigned to the Danish unit immediately after the occupation began; they have since been withdrawn.
- - Independent contingent of 450 troops including an infantry company, a cavalry squadron and around 40 LAVs deployed on Feb 22nd 2005 (this contingent is designated the ). In January 2005, 8 Australian soldiers were wounded, 2 seriously, in an ambush on the road to Baghdad International Airport. An Australian journalist was killed near the beginning of the war; one Australian private military contractor was ambushed and killed along with a British and American counterpart in mid-2005, while he travelled along the airport road. On November 7 , 2005 , an Australian soldier was killed in a traffic accident while training in Kuwait for Iraq duty. On 21 April , 2006 , an Australian soldier died after accidentally shooting himself. The independent Australian force in southern Iraq will remain in the country until at least late 2007[http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200603/s1591145.htm . An Australian journalist was killed by in a car bombing in March 2003, while another was killed five months later when an RPG struck the US military vehicle he was in.
- - 380 special forces troops under Polish command (Central South Iraq). New President Antonio Saca took office on June 1st 2004 and promised to renew his troop contingent's stay in Iraq beyond the expiry of their commitment in August, saying that a further decision would be made after the January 30th elections in Iraq. El Salvador has lost two soldiers in Iraq, one in a firefight and the other in an accident.
- - 150 troops. 100 soldiers were sent on the 29th of December 2004 to reinforce the 150 soldiers already in the country. They provide security for local Turkmen populations, religious sites and convoys.
- - 145 men in an infantry company under Polish command.
- - 125 non-combat troops under US command near Mosul .
- - 122 troops under Polish command (Central South Iraq). Latvia lost one soldier in Iraq in an insurgent attack.
- - 90 police trainers. (Reduced from 300 troops, a small detachment of MPs, and 3 civilians running a field hospital as of November 2003.) The Czech government announced the troops will be pulled out completely by the end of 2005. In addition, a Czech industrial contractor was killed in an accident in April 2004.
- - 120 troops under Polish command (Central South Iraq). The Lithuanian government has declared its intention to stay until the end of 2007.
- - 105 military engineers under Polish command (Central South Iraq). Slovakia lost three soldiers in Iraq (06/08/04) along with two Poles and a Latvian, when a mortar landed on a truck laden with munitions prepared for transportation to a detonation site. As Of 2005 , Slovakia has an 85 man engineering unit remaining in Iraq .
- has deployed a unit of 46 soldiers (a mixture of logistic, medical and support soldiers) to support the effort in Iraq . On the 5th of December 2005, the Armenian government declared its intention to stay in Iraq for another year.
- deployed a 36 man force to destroy explosives and clear mines As Of June 2005 . 1 Bosnian truck driver employed by a firm serving coalition troops was killed in an ambush on his convoy.
- - 35 troops. Two soldiers were killed in Iraq in separate insurgent attacks.
- - 33 troops (possibly special forces). In late 2004 three Macedonian workers building barracks on American bases were executed after being captured by insurgents. As of October 1, 2005, Macedonia is planning to deploy 12 more soldiers.
- - 29 military engineers. One was killed (09/01/2005) along with eight Ukrainians when a pile of booby-trapped munitions was detonated by insurgents.
- has recently disclosed that they have had Canadian military personnel "embedded in American and coalition forces since the beginning of the conflict." Prime Minister Stephen Harper also stated that this is an unchanged state. In addition an undisclosed number of JTF2 operators were deployed to Iraq, working closely with Delta Force and the SAS . {Link without Title} . 5 Canadian private military contractors working for various US and UK 'security' firms were killed by insurgents between January 2004 and April 2003.
- - 500 blue-helmets performing UN protection duties (separate to 400 Coalition troops).
- - 335 Fijian troops protecting UN buildings and staff in and around the Green Zone, ahead of the Iraqi elections in January. ABC News reported on the 20th of October 2004, that the contingent (trained, equipped and transported to Iraq by Australia) would be deployed the following month. 13 Fijian private military contractors were killed in Iraq including 4 who were shot dead in Kirkuk on the 18th of April 2006 and another 3 just days later, a Fijian soldier was also wounded in the first attack. A Fijian soldier died of a suspected heart attack on 16 March, 2006.
- - 130 blue-helmets performing UN protection duties, separate from the 830 Romanian Coalition troops.
According to a BBC monitoring report, the Republic of Fiji Military Forces had abandoned plans to deploy a battalion to Iraq under the Coalition, for financial reasons.
- (South Central Iraq). In a statement released in July 2004, 'Al Zarqawi' released a statement threatening Japan, Poland and Bulgaria over their troop deployments. He demanded the 'crusader Bulgarian government' to withdraw its troops, and promised to 'turn Bulgaria into pools of blood' if his demands were not met. President Georgi Parvanov denied, saying 'we will not give in to the terrorists' pressure.' Bulgaria lost 13 soldiers in Iraq: one to friendly fire, 7 in attacks and 5 in accidents. In addition, two Bulgarian truck drivers working for companies serving coalition troops have been captured and killed in Iraq, with another ambushed and killed. 3 Bulgarian pilots were killed when their Mi-17 transport helicopter (transporting a team of private military contractors) was shot down in April 2005.
- s were taken hostage in Iraq but were freed shortly after. One Ukrainian cameraman, Taras Protsyuk , was killed on April 8th 2003 (along with a Spaniard) when a U.S. tank fired at their hotel room.
- Nicaragua - 230 troops left in February 2004 , no replacement, attributed to financial reasons. While in Iraq, the troops were under Spanish command.
- Spain - had 1,300 troops (mostly assigned to policing duties) in Najaf and commanded the troops of Honduras , El Salvador , the Dominican Republic , and of Nicaragua . Newly elected Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero fulfilled one of his campaign pledges and declared the end of the mission on April 28 2004 with the withdrawal of the last 260 troops. While in Iraq, Spain lost 11 military personnel: ten killed in insurgent attacks and one in an accident. One Spanish reporter was killed (along with a German) when an Iraqi missile struck the U.S. unit they had been 'embedded' with on April 7th 2003. The next day, a Spanish camaraman was killed when a U.S. Abrams tank fired at their hotel room.
- Honduras - 368 troops withdrawn by end of May along with Spain's contingent, citing that the troops were sent there for reconstruction, not combat. While in Iraq, the troops were under Spanish command (South East Iraq). One Honduran medic employed by DynCorp was killed in November 2004.
- Norway - 140 of 150 troops (engineers and mine clearers) withdrawn on June 30 , 2004 citing growing domestic opposition and the need for the troops elsewhere; approximately ten liaison troops remain. The Bondevik II administration insists the troops were never part of the invasion force, citing a UN humanitarian mandate. This does not seem to have come to the attention of the international community, as Al-Qaeda has included Norway in videotaped threats on at least two occasions, and US organizations have included Norway on their lists of participating nations. The actual status of Norwegian engineering and administrative personnel past and present are still a matter of domestic controversy, in part because troops serving in a war zone are entitled to better pay.
- Dominican Republic - 302 troops withdrawn by end of May shortly after Spain and Honduras withdrew their contingents, citing growing domestic opposition. While in Iraq, the troops were under Spanish command (South East Iraq).
- Philippines - 51 medics, engineers and sand soldiers withdrawn July 14 2004 in response to kidnapping of a truck driver. When the hostage takers' demands were met (Filipino troops out of Iraq), the hostage was released. While in Iraq, the troops were under Polish command (Central South Iraq) and during that time several Filipino soldiers were wounded in an insurgent attack but none died. In addition, 8 industrial contractors working for companies serving foreign troops were killed by insurgents in Iraq between April 2004 and November 2005.
- Thailand - Withdrawal of last 100 troops from Thailand's 423-strong humanitarian contingent completed on 10th September 2004, in accordance with Thailand's mandate in Iraq which expired in September. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had previously announced early withdrawal if the situation became too dangerous. Thailand lost two soldiers in Iraq in an insurgent attack.
- Hungary - Hungary's contingent of 300 transportation troops had begun arriving home in Budapest from Iraq on the 22nd of December 2004, reported AFP. All of Hungary's troops were reported by the Defence Ministry to have left Iraq by the end of that day. While in Iraq one Hungarian soldier was killed in an insurgent attack. One Hungarian contractor was also shot dead by American troops in a friendly-fire accident.
- New Zealand - Two rotations of 61 military engineers, known as Task Force Rake, operated in Iraq from September 26, 2003 to September 25, 2004 [http://www.army.mil.nz/?CHANNEL=OPERATIONS&PAGE=Iraq+-+UNMOVIC . They were deployed to undertake humanitarian and reconstruction tasks consistent with UN Security Council Resolution 1483; they were not part of the invading force. While in Iraq the unit was under British command (South East Iraq) and was based in Basra. One New Zealand engineer was killed in Iraq during an insurgent attack.
- Portugal - had 128 military policemen under Italian command (South East Iraq). Troops were withdrawn on Feb. 10th, 2005, two days ahead of schedule. In June 2004 one Portuguese technician was killed in Iraq in an insurgent attack.
- Singapore - A total of 192 Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel returned on 31 January 2004 after a two month deployment. A Republic Of Singapore Navy (RSN) amphibious transport dock conducted logistical tasks such as replenishing supplies for other naval vessels in the Persian Gulf, and conducted patrols to enforce a maritime presence. It also provided a platform for helicopter missions and maritime boarding operations missions by teams from other coalition countries when they inspected ships leaving Iraq. A (SAF) C-130 transport aircraft returned on 4 April 2004 after a two month deployment. During its deployment, the C-130 detachment conducted air support missions, including providing airlift and transportation of logistics supply to coalition forces. A SAF KC-135 tanker aircraft returned on 11 September 2004 after a three month deployment. During its deployment, the KC-135 provided air-to-air refuelling for coalition forces. A RSN amphibious transport dock with 180 personnel returned on 19 March 2005 after a three month deployment. Currently, there are no SAF personnel in or around Iraq.
- Netherlands - Half a dozen liaison officers remain as of late 2005. An independent contingent of 1,345 troops (including 650 Marines, 3 or more Chinook helicopters, military police, a logistics team, a commando squad, and a field hospital) based in Samawah (Southern Iraq) left Iraq in June 2005. On June 1st 2004, the Dutch government renewed the troop stay through 2005. The Algemeen Dagblad reported on Oct. 21 2004, that the Netherlands would pull its troops out of Iraq in March 2005, at the end of the troop's mandate. Citing the Dutch Defense Minister, the Dutch Government had reportedly turned down an Iraqi Government request to extend the Dutch contingent's stay in-country. Netherlands lost two soldiers in separate insurgent attacks. In addition, one Dutch engineer was killed in March 2004 in an attack.
- Moldova - 12 de-mining specialists and medics. The Washington Post , on 15 July 2004, reported that Moldova had quietly halved its contingent from 24 to 12. Withdrew remaining forces in February 2005 .
- Tonga - 45 Royal Marines. Arrived in Iraq at the beginning of July 2004 to augment the I Marine Expeditionary Force in the Al Anbar Province. Withdrew all forces in mid-December 2004.
- Iceland - Iceland had 2 EOD experts, a medical advisor, and some transport experts assigned to the Danish unit immediately after the occupation began; they have since been withdrawn.
In addition to regular troops there are roughly 20,000 Private Military Contractor s in Iraq. This is more than twice the number of ''boots on the ground'' than the second largest group of troops of the participating nations, United Kingdom. These contractors also differ from regular troops as they are outside a Uniform Code Of Military Justice , and have little or no legal accountability, making them especially feared and unpopular with the Iraqi population. However under the Geneva Conventions private contractors, along with everyone in Iraq, may be tried by fair and impartial military tribunals set up by one of the Occupying Powers. There have been unconfirmed reports of more than 40,000 private military contractors operating in Iraq in December 2004.
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