The Iraqi special forces are known as the Golden Division and were created after the 2003 U.S. invasion by coalition forces. They are directed by the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service. This unit consists of about 18,000 soldiers and their motto is “May you sleep peacefully in your bed tonight for a mighty sword stands ready to strike fear in the hearts of those who would terrorize us.” Just last year, they became the first Iraqi unit to enter the Mosul neighborhood of Gogali, which had been taken over by Islamic State.
