{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}} {{Infobox military unit | unit_name = 36th Commando Battalion | image = 36th CDO BN unit patch.jpg | image_size = 200 | caption = 36th Commando Battalion patch | country = {{flag|Iraq}} | type = Commando | branch = {{Flagicon image|Special Operations Iraq Flag.svg}} ISOF | dates = 26 December 2003 – present | specialization = | command_structure = 1st Special Operations Forces Brigade, Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service | size = 440-660 | current_commander = | ceremonial_chief = | nickname = * 36th CDO BN * 1st CDO BN | motto = | colors = | march = | battles = {{tree list}} * Iraq War ** Iraqi insurgency * War in Iraq (2013-2017) {{tree list/end}} | notable_commanders = <br /> Fadhil al-Barwari<br />({{small|Commander 2003-2004}}) | anniversaries = | decorations = }}

The '''36th Commando Battalion''' ('''36th CDO BN''')<ref>{{cite web | url=https://limacharlienews.com/mena/tal-afar-the-gates-of-hell/ | title=Tal Afar: Battle at the 'Gates of Hell' | date=September 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/nia-36sof.htm | title=New Iraqi Army-36th Commando Battalion }}</ref> is a commando battalion unit of the 1st Special Operations Brigade (ISOF-1) and part of the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service (CTS), and one of several Iraqi special forces units created after the fall of the Saddam Hussein. Originally part of the Iraqi Special Operations Forces Brigade (ISOF BDE), the unit has a role comparable to that of the United States' 75th Ranger Regiment (Army Rangers).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shanker |first=Thom |title=Elite Iraqi Unit Seeks Footing as It Fills U.S. Boots |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/20/world/middleeast/elite-iraqi-unit-seeks-footing-as-it-fills-us-boots.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915124011/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/20/world/middleeast/elite-iraqi-unit-seeks-footing-as-it-fills-us-boots.html |archive-date=2016-09-15 |access-date=2025-08-16 |language=en}}</ref> The unit is now designated as the '''1st Commando Battalion''', part of the 1st Special Operations Forces Brigade (ISOF-1).<ref name="Brookings">{{cite web |author1=David Witty |title=The Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service |url=https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/david-witty-paper_final_web.pdf |website=Brookings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006053754/https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/david-witty-paper_final_web.pdf |archive-date=6 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/golden-division-elite-us-trained-commando-unit-retaking-mosul-isis-1590053 | title=The Golden Division: Elite US-trained commando unit retaking Mosul from Isis | date=5 November 2016 }}</ref>

The unit was formerly known as the 36th Iraqi Civil Defense Corps Battalion.<ref>{{cite web | last=Eisenstadt | first=Michael | title=The Iraqi Security Forces (Part I): Background and Current Status | website=The Washington Institute | date=26 October 2004 | url=https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/iraqi-security-forces-part-i-background-and-current-status | access-date=21 September 2023}}</ref>

== History== thumb|Left to right: MSG Ron, C co SGM and C co. Commander (Identities censored for security reasons)

On 25 November 2003, a decision was made between the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), the Commander United States Central Command (CDRCENTCOM), the Commander Combined Joint Task Force 7 (CDR CJTF-7), and the Iraqi Governing Council (IGC). These elements agreed to form a Baghdad-based, 500-man battalion by integrating militiamen from five (5) Political Parties: Iraqi National Accord (INA), Iraqi National Congress (INC), Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP), Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), and Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI).<ref>{{cite web | last=Otterman | first=Sharon | title=Iraq: Security Forces | website=Council on Foreign Relations | date=16 February 2005 | url=https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/iraq-security-forces | access-date=21 September 2023}}</ref> The idea was to create a special forces unit that would be composed of Iraqis from various ethnic and religious groups.<ref name="Military">{{cite web | url=https://www.military.com/defensetech/2004/11/08/who-are-iraqs-36th | title=Who Are Iraq's 36Th? | date=28 November 2017 }}</ref>

In late 2003, the CJSOTF-AP (Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Arabian Peninsula) made plans to put the 36th CDO BN under the control of the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Force (ICTF).<ref name="SOCOM07">{{Cite web |title=2007 History |url=https://irp.fas.org/agency/dod/socom/2007history.pdf |website=irp.fas.org}}</ref> Initial recruits sent to be trained with the 36th CDO BN were given table tennis paddles to publicly hide their activities that they were going for SOF training.<ref name="SOCOM07"/> Recruits who changed their mind to join the battalion were taken off the roster.<ref name="SOCOM07"/> The unit changed its name to the 1st Commando Battalion after the Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF) Brigade was created in July 2005.<ref name="SOCOM07"/> During the war against the Islamic State in 2017, the battalion was known to be militarily and politically reliable as they fought ISIL fighters instead of abandoning their positions<ref name="WOTR">{{cite web | title=The Best Thing America Built In Iraq: Iraq's Counter-Terrorism Service and the Long War Against Militancy | website=War on the Rocks | date=19 July 2017 | url=https://warontherocks.com/2017/07/the-best-thing-america-built-in-iraq-iraqs-counter-terrorism-service-and-the-long-war-against-militancy/ | access-date=21 September 2023}}</ref> unlike other military units like the Iraqi Army's 2nd Division.<ref>{{cite web | title=Inside the Collapse of the Iraqi Army's 2nd Division | website=War on the Rocks | date=1 July 2014 | url=https://warontherocks.com/2014/07/inside-the-collapse-of-the-iraqi-armys-2nd-division/ | access-date=21 September 2023}}</ref>

==Operations== 36th CDO BN forces were involved in Najaf in August 2004, nearly raiding Sadr's hideout if he did not choose to give up.<ref name="SOCOM07"/> In November 2004, 36th CDO BN forces were deployed to Fallujah alongside US Marines to flush out anti-government insurgents,<ref name="SOCOM07"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usmcu.edu/portals/218/fallujah.pdf|title=U.S. Marines in battle: Fallujah|date=November–December 2004|website=usmcu.edu|access-date=21 September 2023}}</ref> taking control of a hospital from insurgents.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.marforres.marines.mil/Portals/116/Docs/CmdDeck/GWOT%202004-2007.pdf|title=Marine Forces Reserve Operational History Global War on Terror (2004 – 2007)|website=marforres.marines.mil|access-date=21 September 2023}}</ref> They were also involved in Samarra, engaged in counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations in September 2004.<ref name="SOCOM07"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Fighting in Samarra, Iraq |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0410/04/i_ins.01.html |work=CNN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311001123/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0410/04/i_ins.01.html |archive-date=11 March 2007 |date=4 October 2004}}</ref>

The 36th CDO BN was involved in anti-ISIL operations, engaging ISIL fighters in Mosul in 2017.<ref name="WOTR"/>

==Organization== The 36th CDO BN was organized based on the structure of the US Army Special Forces.<ref name="Brookings"/>

In 2004, the 36th CDO BN had 400 operators, trained by 17 US Special Forces advisors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://irp.fas.org/doddir/usmc/iraq03-06.pdf|title=U.S. Marine Corps Operations in Iraq, 2003–2006|author=Kenneth W. Estes|year=2009 |website=fas.org|access-date=21 September 2023}}</ref>

As of 2023, the unit is under the command of the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 20, 2005 |title=Tip of the Spear |url=https://www.socom.mil/TipOfTheSpear/July%202005%20Tip%20of%20the%20Spear.pdf |website=www.socom.mil}}</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}

Category:Special forces of Iraq 3