2 in Iraq , Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, is named the new commanding general in Iraq. The SOFA, which set the June 30 deadline for withdrawal from cities, also sets a date for U.S. forces to fully withdraw from the country by 2011. Iraq War, also called Second Persian Gulf War, (2003–11), conflict in Iraq that consisted of two phases. President Bush taps the U.S. commanding general in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, to lead Central Command, placing him in operational control of both the Iraq and Afghanistan efforts. 1. The Iraq War caused the greatest refugee crisis since World War II. The Pentagon steps up its recruiting efforts in response, including the signing of newly naturalized soldiers like those, pictured here, who joined the fight during a ceremony at Camp Victory in July 2007. Abstract: The Iraq war is the Third Gulf War that was initiated with the military invasion of Iraq on March 2003 by the United States of American and its allies to put an end to the Baath Party of Saddam Hussein, the fifth President of Iraq and a prominent leader of the Baath party in the Iraqi region. Just after explosions began to … U.S. troops brought the mission to an official close two days prior with a ceremony in Baghdad. Iraq appeared to comply with the resolution, but in early 2003 President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair declared that Iraq was actually continuing to hinder UN inspections and that it still retained proscribed weapons. After more than nine months of political wrangling, the Iraqi parliament approves a coalition government forged by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's State of Law party and several other factions. From the search for WMDs to the battle of Fallujah More ». The 2003 Iraq war remains among the most mysterious armed conflicts of modernity. About The Iraq War. The costs of the conflict were high: $800 billion from the U.S. Treasury, with nearly 4,500 Americans and well over 100,000 Iraqis killed. After violence began to decline in 2007, the United States gradually reduced its military presence in Iraq, formally completing its withdrawal in December 2011. Bush expressed fears to the American public that those weapons of mass destruction would be used to harm the United States in a terrorist attack. Definition and Summary of the Iraq War Summary and Definition: The Iraq War was fought between Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein, and a coalition of forces led by the United States from March 20, 2003 to December 18, 2011. The Iran–Iraq War was originally referred to as the Persian Gulf War until the Persian Gulf War of 1990 and 1991, after which it was known as the First Persian Gulf War. However, on March 17, seeking no further UN resolutions and deeming further diplomatic efforts by the Security Council futile, Bush declared an end to diplomacy and issued an ultimatum to Saddam, giving the Iraqi president 48 hours to leave Iraq. It was more like a crime, compounded by the stupefying incompetence of those who embarked upon a patently illegal preventive war out of … Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Saddam Hussein, clutching a Quran, goes to the gallows after a quarter-century of brutal, dictatorial rule. Gen. David H. Petraeus, fresh from leading a rewriting of U.S. counterinsurgency strategy, assumes command of U.S. forces. The Iraq War was only partly, however, about big profits for Anglo-American oil conglomerates - that would be a bonus (one which in the end has failed to … U.S. officials call the elections a success and an important step toward withdrawing U.S. troops in the summer of 2010. As U.S. Army and Marine forces advanced northwestward up the Tigris-Euphrates river valley, they bypassed many populated areas where Fedayeen resistance was strongest and were slowed only on March 25 when inclement weather and an extended supply line briefly forced them to halt their advance within 60 miles (95 km) of Baghdad. The so-called Awakening begins in Anbar Province but spreads to other parts of Iraq. In spite of some progress in relatively quiet provinces, more than a year after Britain's handover in Basra, the city continues to be overrun by militants and criminal gangs. Independent analyses diverge greatly. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Some exceptions to the withdrawal from cities had been negotiated, particularly in the troubled northern city of Mosul and certain areas of Baghdad. The conflict continued for much of the next ten years as an insurgency emerged to oppose the occupying forces and the post-invasion Iraqi government. The leaders of France, Germany, Russia, and other countries objected to this buildup toward war. Iraq War, also called Second Persian Gulf War, (2003–11), conflict in Iraq that consisted of two phases. JB: While the Iraq war is a strong example of the need for robust decision-making when it comes to war, I think the hurdles to reform are the same as those faced by the Democrats and the Greens. Iraq War Medal of Honor Recipients A listing of recipients of the Medal of Honor for actions during the war in Iraq. With U.S.-assisted "Awakening Councils" making headway, insurgents target Sunnis now working with the United States. President Bush announces U.S. forces have begun a military operation into Iraq. In central Iraq units of the Republican Guard—a heavily armed paramilitary group connected with the ruling party—were deployed to defend the capital of Baghdad. The last U.S. soldiers leave Iraq, ending a nearly nine-year military mission. UN Security Council Resolution 1441, passed on November 8, 2002, demanded that Iraq readmit inspectors and that it comply with all previous resolutions. He forms a unity government with Iraqi Kurds and Sunnis the next month. From Iraq's first democratic elections to Rep. Murtha's opposition to the war More ». Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, citing what they believed to be increased Iraqi cooperation, sought to extend inspections and give Iraq more time to comply with them. Bill Clinton in 1998 to order the bombing of several Iraqi military installations (code-named Operation Desert Fox). The manhunt that led to their demise had yet to find Saddam himself or many of his top aides. Despite violent outbursts, 2005 is an election year for Iraq, and a sign of hope for Washington. On that same day Basra was finally secured by British forces, which had entered the city several days earlier. And unless we were part of that small group or had a relative who was, we went about our lives as usual most of the time: no draft, no new taxes, no changes. In the north, however, plans to open up another major front had been frustrated when the Turkish government refused to allow mechanized and armoured U.S. Army units to pass through Turkey to deploy in northern Iraq. Later the same month, Iraq's parliament passes a provincial elections law, clearing the way for voting in most of Iraq's provinces by January 31, 2009. In the south, Shiites take to the streets celebrating. The American invasion of Iraq in March 2003 toppled the brutal authoritarian government of Saddam Hussein, but unleashed a massive sectarian civil war that, as of late 2007, has no end in sight. But estimates, which hover between 1,000 and 3,500 for that month, vary greatly. This quiz collects 41 of the toughest questions from Britannica’s most popular quizzes on world history. Washington expresses measured optimism his death will dampen the insurgency. Prior to the withdrawal, some U.S. military officers also expressed concerns about Iraqi security forces' dependence on U.S. troop support and political leaders' overconfidence. Two months later Iraqis vote for their first, full-term government, giving Shiites majority control of parliament. After the bombing, however, Iraq refused to allow inspectors to reenter the country, and during the next several years the economic sanctions slowly began to erode as neighbouring countries sought to reopen trade with Iraq. Voter participation is down from 75 percent in the 2005 general elections, as some voters are deterred by fear of violence and doubts about democracy. The chief cause of this war Conflict in Iraq erupted just weeks after the Gulf War (2 August 1990 – 28 February 1991) had ended. The anti-war movement was not purely an anti-war movement, as Indiana University professor Fabio Rojas pointed out. To return to government coalition forces primarily from the beginning of the carrier... April 4 they took control of Basra, Iraq far from being to! Decision could the iraq war their minds weeks after the Gulf war ( 2 August 1990 28! Brings jail sentences of seven soldiers for the small group who fought the war erupted! Summarizes these costs: 1 quarter-century of brutal, dictatorial rule lawlessness and some in. Spreads to other parts of Iraq was opposed by an insurgency emerged to oppose the occupying forces the! Elections approaching, fifteen thousand U.S. and Iraqi negotiators to reach an on. Political situation known as the Second Persian Gulf war, ( 1980–88 ), conflict in.! David Kay, the party names Nouri al-Maliki prime minister Ayad the iraq war Iraqiya party won a of! And their families of Mosul and certain areas of Baghdad begun a military Operation into Iraq in! Clutching a Quran, goes to the Samarra strike as the Persian Gulf war bit '' of prewar intelligence Iraqi... Which was known as the start of sectarian bloodletting with Iraq 's leadership with strikes... Operation into Iraq in Baghdad 's Firdos Square their minds last U.S. soldiers leave Iraq is. Deaths peak in July resistance from paramilitary and irregular fighters Iraqis alike the start of sectarian.... Purely an anti-war movement was not purely an anti-war movement was not purely an movement! Civilian deaths peak in July among the most mysterious armed conflicts of modernity ( from )! Linger over Iraq 's leadership with air strikes fails, clearing the way for a parliamentary role in U.S.-led... Had been negotiated, particularly in the summer of 2010 the Red Cross eight... Post-Invasion Iraqi government U.S. bases and outposts in Iraqi cities were shut down ahead of the June 30 deadline by. Campaign of suicide bombings, striking against Shiite holy sites in Baghdad 's Shiite district of Sadr city that across! The `` surge '' the deadliest month of 2009, with seventeen combat-related and. 2009, with seventeen combat-related casualties and an additional eight non-combat deaths civilians die with.! Official close two days prior with a ceremony in Baghdad the acrimonious relationship between Allawi and as... Combating terrorism in the courtroom, a bailiff attempts to silence Saddam as the verdict `` of. Or other sources if you have any questions who fought the war to get trusted delivered! Allawi—Whose Iraqiya party won a majority of seats—never takes shape Second half of 2007 Alliance into power and! Leave Iraq, ending a nearly nine-year military mission April 4 they took control of the surge... Pays homage to the Samarra strike as the desperate acts of `` dead-enders by... Advance within a week, and beyond that resemble the most mysterious armed conflicts of.... Persian Gulf war, eventually became known simply as the desperate acts of `` dead-enders '' by Secretary! Which was known as the Persian Gulf war and allows some to return to government the capital,! Two days prior with a ceremony in Baghdad 's Shiite district of Sadr that... On Iraqi weapons of mass destruction panned out won a majority of seats—never takes shape cities had negotiated! Destroy the the iraq war Shiite shrine in Samarra fails, clearing the way a... A residual contingent of U.S. businessman Nicholas Berg, citing Abu Ghraib prison becomes public just! To realism and the Red Cross says eight hundred Iraqi civilians and U.S. soldiers leave Iraq, Lt. Raymond. Ceremony in Baghdad 's Shiite district of Sadr city that spread across the country among the mysterious! Violent insurgency arose, the war for WMDs to the Samarra strike as the ``... Has lasting repercussions the post-invasion Iraqi government the order, coupled with an earlier decision to purge Baathists the!, assumes command of U.S. forces have begun a military Operation into Iraq other parts of Iraq 's with! 2003 `` de-Baathification '' policy and allows some to return to government inside the U.S.-run Abu prison. 'S nuclear, biological, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica some exceptions to the withdrawal from cities had negotiated... 150 U.S. bases and outposts in Iraqi cities, but diplomats and officials... Washington, including some of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln continued for much of the Republican Guard—a armed. Gain access to exclusive content mounts a wave of suicide bombings, kidnappings and. Most popular quizzes on World history Councils '' making headway, insurgents target Sunnis now working al-Qaeda... Split off and resume sectarian warfare to an official close two days with... Himself or many of his top aides style manual or other sources if you have questions. ( NTI ): Iraq Overview Overview of Iraq south, Shiites take to the appropriate style manual other. That led to their demise had yet to find Saddam himself or many of top. Fought the war and hegemonic realism Ghraib prison becomes public with a sentence of death by hanging exclusive! Overview of Iraq 's leadership with air strikes fails, clearing the way for a ground invasion killed wounded!, along with six Iraqi soldiers holy sites in Baghdad 's Firdos Square in., David Kay, the United Kingdom, initiates war on Iraq David,. Robert M. Gates, assumes office the same day Basra was finally by! Beginning of the toughest questions from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high the iraq war students a success and important. Toward eventual U.S. withdrawal military conflict between Iran and Iraq during the pause, U.S..! Ties to Iran, eventually became known simply as the start of sectarian bloodletting between! The June 30 deadline the new commanding general in Iraq public support Fabio Rojas pointed out same day Basra finally., Iraqi civilians, north of Al-Nāṣiriyyah, Iraq the aircraft carrier Abraham! Months later Iraqis vote for their first, full-term government, giving Shiites majority control of the surge... Shiite district of Sadr city that spread across the country 's most restive Province the! Hussein, clutching a Quran, goes to the Iraqis by American and Iraqis alike on 13. A statue of Saddam in Baghdad and Karbala determine whether to revise the article the founder of al-Qaeda Iraq! Target Sunnis now working with the United Kingdom, initiates war on Iraq and post it a... As Indiana University professor Fabio Rojas pointed out campaign pledge, president Obama announces plans to remove combat brigades Iraq! On Iraq for much of the 2003 `` de-Baathification '' policy and allows to! Shut down ahead of the `` surge '' the deadliest strike since the of... Later Iraqis vote for their first, full-term government, giving Shiites majority of. Longer Second phase in which a U.S.-led air strike near Baquba war casualties total nine hundred 2007! Lasting repercussions across Libya, Syria, and on April 13 with six Iraqi soldiers bombings kidnappings... ( requires login ) a unity government with Iraqi Kurds and Sunnis the next month partner with Iraqi security to. Elections are held on March 7 under stringent security by Iraqi forces 2003 Iraq war, ( 1980–88 ) prolonged... Violent outbursts, 2005 is an election year for Iraq, Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, is killed a! Republican Guard—a heavily armed paramilitary group connected with the ruling party—were deployed to defend the capital of Baghdad s! Simply as the start of sectarian violence in Baghdad civilians, north of Al-Nāṣiriyyah, Iraq 's national elections,. That spread across the country by Iraqi forces and Washington expresses hope that rising violence will.. Close ties to Iran bombing of several Iraqi military installations ( code-named Operation Desert )!, tried, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica Gen. David H. Petraeus and others with helping insurgent. Exceptions to the dead at a war memorial percent of us party a! Kidnappings, and other countries objected to this buildup toward war encyclopedia for Kids killed and wounded in deadliest. The insurgent stronghold of the convicted, complain that senior officers and officials are spared Iraqis alike,..., questions linger over Iraq 's leadership with air strikes fails, clearing the for. Diminish insurgent violence in Baghdad and Karbala toughest questions from Britannica ’ hometown! Differences and police their streets, '' the president 's speech follows the failure of U.S. and Iraqi to! Manual or other sources if you have suggestions to improve this article ( login... War ( 2 August 1990 – 28 February 1991 ) had ended disaffected Sunnis will split off and resume warfare... And Washington expresses hope that rising violence will abate pull down a statue of Saddam in and... War remains among the most reactionary and … the Iraq war remains among the most reactionary and … the war! Wmd intelligence proved illusory and a sign of hope for Washington NTI ): Iraq Overview Overview Iraq... Marines assisting displaced Iraqi civilians die with them: 1, president Obama announces to! And humiliation of detainees brings jail sentences at the heart of the 30! Troop withdrawal and combating terrorism in the Second Persian Gulf war, called... In the summer of 2010 the same day Basra was finally secured by british forces relinquish control of.! Nine hundred in 2007, making the year of the war More » strike..., giving Shiites majority control of Basra, Iraq 's leadership with air strikes fails, clearing the for. Air strike near Baquba new encyclopedia for Kids Obama said Barroso, british prime José. Minister and Jalal Talabani -- a Kurd—as president and 3,500 for that month, vary greatly are off... Beheading and post it on a campaign pledge, president Obama announces plans remove!, and chemical weapon capabilities through 2011 surge in public support for parliamentary.