Blackwater, Iraq...Again

Baghdad, Iraq – The infamous private military company Blackwater has once again found itself operating on Iraqi soil after securing a contract under the latest iteration of the Logistics Civil Augmentation Program (LOGCAP 5). This move marks the company’s return to a country where its history remains deeply controversial.

Blackwater, now operating under a different name following multiple rebrandings, has been awarded a role in providing logistical and security support under the U.S. Department of Defense’s massive contingency operations framework. While the details of its specific mission remain undisclosed, sources indicate that the contract involves convoy security, base protection, and personnel escort operations, areas in which the company previously played a significant—albeit controversial—role during the Iraq War.

The firm’s return has already sparked backlash among Iraqi officials and human rights groups, who have not forgotten the 2007 Nisour Square massacre, in which Blackwater contractors killed 17 Iraqi civilians. That incident led to increased scrutiny of private military contractors and the eventual expulsion of Blackwater from Iraq. Despite rebranding itself multiple times—first as Xe Services, then Academi, and later merging into Constellis Holdings—the company’s reputation in the region remains tarnished.

Iraqi lawmakers have raised concerns over accountability and oversight, questioning the necessity of private military contractors when U.S. and coalition forces maintain a presence in the country. However, defense analysts argue that Blackwater’s expertise in high-risk environments makes it a cost-effective and low-footprint solution for securing critical operations, particularly as U.S. troops continue their drawdown in the region.

With tensions still high due to Iran-backed militia activity and the ever-present threat of ISIS remnants, Blackwater’s return is likely to stir controversy and reignite debates over the ethics and effectiveness of private military companies in modern warfare. Whether this deployment will unfold without incident remains to be seen—but for many Iraqis, the memory of Blackwater’s past actions remains far from forgotten.