2nd Al Medina Armored Division

The 'Al-Medina' Armored Division (Arabic: المدينة المنورة الفرقة المدرعة, "Medina the Luminous") was an elite formation of the Iraqi Republican Guard.

Al-Medina Armoured
Republican Guard Division
Al Medina Division insignia
Active1980s – 2003
Country Iraq
Allegiance Ba'athist Iraq
Branch Iraqi Republican Guard
TypeArmoured Division
Size≈10,000 (2003)
EquipmentT-72 tanks (Asad Babil)
EngagementsIran–Iraq War

Persian Gulf War

1991 uprisings in Iraq

2003 Invasion of Iraq

Commanders
CommanderRiyadh Husayn Ali al-Nasiri al-Tikriti[1]

History

Iran–Iraq War

During the course of the Iran–Iraq War, the division ballooned from Division to Corps size. The unit saw deployment during the Second Battle of al-Faw under the command of Major General Hussein al-Rashid, who was later promoted to the Chief of the General Staff in 1991.[2]

Gulf War

The division's most famous engagement came during the Battle of Medina Ridge; the largest tank battle of the Gulf War and the largest tank battle in American history. Despite lacking air support the division put up a surprisingly strong resistance, helping pause the Coalition advance and ultimately serving as one of the contributory factors for the halt order given by President George H. W. Bush on 28 February 1991.[3]

2003 invasion of Iraq

During the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the division was mostly deployed along the Karbala gap, the territory between Karbala and Hillah. The division was targeted by Coalition forces early in the war during the raid on Karbala due to its perceived status as one of Iraq's best divisions,[4] with the division being equipped with artillery and 270 T-72 tanks, the most advanced tanks used by Iraqi forces.[5] In the raid on Karbala, the division won what was considered to be the only Iraqi victory of the invasion.

The division, which was deployed 50 miles south of Baghdad, straddled a heavily fortified area known as the "Red Zone." The division dispersed and embedded itself around Karbala, placing units close to homes, schools, mosques and the region's many ancient Shia shrines. Medina Division forces were also one of the units believed to have been readying for using chemical weapons during the invasion. It was claimed at the time that General Tommy Franks intended to make an example of the Medina Division, hoping that the destruction of the division would shatter Iraqi morale.[6]

In the ensuing Battle of Kut, the division put up a surprisingly light resistance, with many Republican Guard forces choosing instead to desert.[7]

References
  1. "- IMPLEMENTING GUIDANCE FOR PERSONNEL IDENTIFIED ON "BLACKLIST"" (PDF). Thetorturedatabase.org. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  2. Council, N.I.; Woods, K.M.; Murray, W.; Nathan, E.A.; Sabara, L.; Venegas, A.M. (23 May 2013). Saddam's Generals: Perspectives of the Iran-Iraq War. Lulu.com. p. 74. ISBN 9781304065407. Retrieved 2017-01-13.
  3. Verma, B. (2009). Indian Defence Review. Vol. 24. Lancer International, Lancer Press. p. 34. ISBN 9788170621652. Retrieved 2017-01-13.
  4. DeFronzo, J. (2009). The Iraq War: Origins and Consequences. Westview Press. p. 156. ISBN 9780813343914. Retrieved 2017-01-13.
  5. "CNN.com - U.S. Apache pilots taken prisoner - Mar. 24, 2003". Edition.cnn.com. 2003-03-24. Retrieved 2017-01-13.
  6. "U.S. Forces Prepare for Battle Against Iraq's Medina Division". Wall Street Journal. wsj.com. 25 March 2003. Retrieved 2017-01-13.
  7. Hindiyah, Terry Mccarthy I. (4 May 2003). "What Ever Happened to the Republican Guard?". Time. content.time.com. Retrieved 2017-01-13.
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