Editing Royal Thai Armed Forces (section)

====Iraq War (2003–2004)====
After the [[2003 invasion of Iraq|successful US invasion of Iraq]], [[Thai Humanitarian Assistance Task Force 976 Thai-Iraq]] Thailand contributed 423 non-combat troops in August 2003 to nation building and medical assistance in [[Coalition Provisional Authority|post-Saddam Iraq]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090421011422/http://www.asiantribune.com/oldsite/show_news.php?id=9283 Thailand to withdraw troops from Iraq if attacked]. ''Asian Tribune'' (21 April 2004).</ref> The Thais could not leave their base in [[Karbala]] as their rules governing their participation restricted them to humanitarian assistance which could not be accomplished due to the insurgency during the Thai's tenure in Iraq.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ricks |first1=Thomas E |title=Fiasco; The American Military Adventure in Iraq |url=https://archive.org/details/fiascoamericanmi00rick |url-access=registration |date=2006 |publisher=Penguin |location=London |isbn=9780141028507 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/fiascoamericanmi00rick/page/346 346–347]}}</ref> Troops of the Royal Thai Army were attacked in the [[2003 Karbala bombings]], which killed two soldiers and wounded five others.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/12/27/sprj.irq.main/index.html Karbala attacks kill 12, wound dozens] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420165317/http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/12/27/sprj.irq.main/index.html |date=20 April 2008 }}. CNN (27 December 2003). Retrieved on 2012-01-18.</ref> However, the Thai mission in Iraq was considered an overall success, and Thailand withdrew its forces in August 2004. The mission is considered the main reason the United States decided to designate Thailand as a [[major non-NATO ally]] in 2003.<ref name=r1>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090825111721/http://www.centcom.mil/en/countries/coalition/thailand/ Thailand]. centcom.mil</ref>