The Iraq War (2003–2011) involved a two-phase conflict initiated by a U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, followed by an insurgency and occupation. The war began due to allegations of weapons of mass destruction and support for terrorism, concluding with a formal U.S. withdrawal in 2011, leaving numerous casualties in its wake.
The Iraq War, also known as the Second Persian Gulf War, was a conflict that spanned from March 2003 to December 2011. The initial phase consisted of a swift military campaign led by the United States and the United Kingdom, which resulted in the rapid defeat of Iraqi armed forces. This action followed years of tensions stemming from Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, continued sanctions, and concerns related to weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Over the subsequent years, the U.S. and coalition forces faced a potent insurgency during the occupation of Iraq. The violence markedly decreased by 2007, leading to a gradual reduction of U.S. military presence, which concluded with a formal withdrawal in 2011. The war resulted in approximately 4,500 American military deaths and tens of thousands of wounded, along with significant Iraqi civilian casualties.
The Iraq War arose from a complex history involving Iraq’s military actions in the early 1990s, particularly its invasion of Kuwait and the resulting Persian Gulf War, which incapacitated Iraq militarily. Following this, Iraq faced severe economic sanctions imposed by the United Nations to restrict its capabilities to produce weapons of mass destruction. Tensions escalated in the early 2000s as the United States, under President George W. Bush, shifted focus to Iraq, alleging that Saddam Hussein’s regime possessed WMD and supported terrorist organizations following the September 11 attacks. The U.S. pushed for military intervention, culminating in a full-scale invasion of Iraq in March 2003, after diplomatic resolutions failed despite opposition from various international leaders.
In summary, the Iraq War was characterized by two distinct phases: an initial combat phase leading to the overthrow of Saddam Hussein’s regime, followed by a protracted insurgency and occupation. The complexities of the conflict stemmed from historical grievances, geopolitical strategies, and allegations of weapons proliferation. Ultimately, the war resulted in significant casualties on both American and Iraqi sides and raised critical questions regarding foreign intervention, nation-building, and international law.
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