| Free Iraqi Forces (FIF) | |
| Leaders: | Ahmad Chalabi |
| Active: | 2003 |
| Country: | Iraq |
| Allegiance: | Multi-National Force - Iraq |
| Motives: | Overthrow of the government of Ba'athist Iraq |
| Status: | Dissolved |
| Partof: | Iraqi National Congress (2003) |
The Free Iraqi Forces (FIF) were a militia made up of Iraqi expatriates, who served in the 2003 invasion of Iraq and its aftermath, under the control of Ahmed Chalabi's Iraqi National Congress government-in-exile. The specifically paramilitary branch of the program was also known as the Free Iraqi Fighting Forces (FIFF), while other elements served as interpreters or on civil affairs projects.[1] [2]
The original intent of the American Office of the Secretary of Defense was to recruit and train 3,000 Iraqi expatriates in Taszar, Hungary in preparation for the war.[1] Recruitment, however, fell well below the target number, and were of dubious military utility, ranging from ages 18 to 55.[3]
The program was seen as unsuccessful, with at one point some US$63 million spent to recruit and train 69 troops for the FIF, and the program was dissolved in April 2003. The FIFF never numbered more than 500 troops.[4] The units were also seen as undisciplined and pro-Shia and anti-Sunni, and engaged in looting.[5]