The Origins of the Iraqi Navy
The Iraqi Navy was founded on 12 August 1937 under the name of Riverine Force, when a group of four British River Gun boats was anchored in Basra. These were named Al Jasi (N.1), That Al Swary (N.2), Janadah (N.3) and Abdul Rahman (N.4). Built by Thornycroft, in Southampton, they were Diesel-engine boats armed with army guns, intended for service on the Tiger and Euphrates rivers with bullet-proof plating. On 5 August 1937, Maj. Gen. Ahmed Rushdi Bin Mohammed was appointed as leader of the riverine force. Headquartered in Baghdad, the Iraqi Navy was originally linked to the general office of the Ministry of Defense and then transferred to Amara on August 30 of the same year. During the period between 1937 and 1958, the Iraqi Navy was only a riverine force carrying out only a few patrol duties along the Shatt Al Arab. These British ships were armed with machine guns and mortars and took part in several clashes with tribesmen in southern Iraq under command of Maj. Gen. Ahmed Rushdi