Iraqi Special Republican Guard
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The Special Republican Guard was formed from the Iraqi Republican Guard founded in either 1992 or 1995 in the nation of Iraq. The Special Republican Guard was charged with protecting the president, Saddam Hussein, and responding to any threat to his power, such as a rebellion or coup, and protecting Baghdad.
The Special Republican Guard received better pay and benefits than members of the Republican Guard and regular Iraqi Army. In 2002 there were reportedly 12,000 members of the Special Republican Guard, drawn primarily from clans loyal to Saddam Hussein and his regime. As many as five brigades containing 14 battalions, including air defense, armor, and artillery were reported to be in existence at that time. The Special Republican Guard ceased to exist with the defeat of Iraq in April 2003, by members of a U.S.-led coalition in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Former members of the Special Republican Guard are suspected of carrying out insurgent attacks on coalition forces in Iraq.
External link
- GlobalSecurity.org - Special Republican Guard (http://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/world/iraq/srg.htm)