Cuscatlán Battalion
| Cuscatlán Battalion | |
|---|---|
| Batallón Cuscatlán | |
Cuscatlán Battalion IX soldiers at Forward Operating Base Delta on 22 February 2008 | |
| Active | 12 August 2003 – 22 January 2009 |
| Country | El Salvador |
| Allegiance | Multi-National Force – Iraq |
| Branch | Salvadoran Army |
| Type | Ground force |
| Size |
|
| Garrison/HQ | |
| Equipment | See § organization |
| Engagements | Iraq War |
| Commanders | |
| Commander | See § commanders |
The Cuscatlán Battalion (Spanish: Batallón Cuscatlán) was a military unit of the Armed Forces of El Salvador (FAES) that participated in the Iraq War from 2003 to 2009. The Cuscatlán Battalion served under the Polish-led Multinational Division Central-South (MN–DCS) throughout its deployment. From 2003 to 2004, it was also a part of the Spanish-led Plus Ultra Brigade.
During the Cuscatlán Battalion's deployment, it rendered humanitarian aid, assisted in reconstruction projects, conducted demining operations, and protected Multi-National Force – Iraq (MNF–I) convoys. The battalion engaged in a few skirmishes against Iraqi militants during its deployment, suffering 5 deaths and 20 injuries. The Cuscatlán Battalion withdrew from Iraq in 2009 after years of debate in El Salvador over involvement in the Iraq War; the right-wing Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA) had supported involvement, while the left-wing Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN) opposed it.