Page 419 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
CHAPTER 24
The RAVC in Iraq: MWD v IED
“The end of major combat operations in Iraq in 2003 was merely the beginning of a different fight, a fight in which an unconventional weapon has had a deadly impact on conventional forces. The Improvised Explosive Device (IED) has proven to be the number one threat to Coalition Forces in Iraq and now in Afghanistan. Its use is spreading.”1 [Device Defeat Organisation. 2008]
The relationship between Britain and Iraq took a dangerous and awkward turn after the First World War. The fall of the Ottoman Empire spun the three Arab provinces into a No-Man’s-Land where every move was closely watched by Brit- ain and France. Vying for the spoils, the British pretty much took control of the provinces from their administrative base in Baghdad and, in a veiled form of colonialism, Iraq became a Brit- ish mandate. Very quickly the Iraqis resentment turned to revolt followed by an undying dislike
and then a desire for revenge.
Lingering trust issues remained a problem even after Iraq achieved independence in 1932 no doubt due to a leadership dominated by a succession of largely pro-British governments. This lasted until 1958, when a coup by the ‘Free Officers’ movement resulted in the end of the monarchy and the declaration of a Republic.
In the period we are covering in this section of the Corps’ history, Iraq took another political turn that prompted British military intervention.
Map of Iraq and surrounding countries.
1 Device Defeat Organisation (2008).
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