The 2003 Invasion of Iraq: A Chronology

Background

In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the United States government began to focus on potential threats abroad. One of the main concerns was the possibility that Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein, was developing weapons of mass destruction.

In 2002, the United States presented a case to the United Nations Security Council alleging that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction and was in violation of international law. However, no evidence of weapons of mass destruction was ever found.

The Invasion

On March 20, 2003, the United States and its allies, including the United Kingdom, launched an invasion of Iraq. The invasion, codenamed Operation Iraqi Freedom, was aimed at overthrowing Saddam Hussein's government and disarming the country of its suspected weapons of mass destruction.

Phase 1

The first phase of the invasion, known as the major combat operations phase, lasted for 26 days. During this phase, US-led forces quickly overwhelmed Iraqi defenses and captured Baghdad, the country's capital.

Phase 2

The second phase of the invasion, known as the occupation phase, began in May 2003 and lasted for nearly nine years. During this phase, US-led forces attempted to establish a new Iraqi government and rebuild the country's infrastructure.

Aftermath

The 2003 invasion of Iraq had a profound impact on the country and the entire Middle East. The war led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians and soldiers, and it destabilized the region, contributing to the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The war also had a significant impact on the United States. It cost the United States trillions of dollars and damaged the country's reputation around the world. The war also led to a long and costly occupation of Iraq, which ended in 2011.