Popular Army (Iraq)

The Popular Army (Arabic: الجيش الشعبي, al-Jaish ash-Sha'abi) was a paramilitary organization in Iraq established in 1968 and officially dissolved in 2003 following the invasion of Iraq by the United States and its allies. It served as a reserve force for the Iraqi Army and was primarily loyal to the Ba'ath Party and Saddam Hussein.

The Popular Army was distinct from the regular Iraqi military and was composed primarily of civilian volunteers, often members of the Ba'ath Party, who received basic military training. Its function was multi-faceted, including providing internal security, reinforcing the regular army during times of war, and promoting Ba'athist ideology within Iraqi society.

During times of peace, the Popular Army conducted drills and exercises and participated in civil defense activities. In times of war, its members could be mobilized to augment the regular army's manpower. While not as well-equipped or trained as the professional military, the Popular Army served as a significant force multiplier.

The organization was dissolved by Coalition Provisional Authority Order 22 following the 2003 invasion, as part of the effort to de-Ba'athify Iraq and dismantle institutions associated with Saddam Hussein's regime.