Operation Iraqi Freedom: The Beginning of the Iraq War

Operation Iraqi Freedom: The Beginning of the Iraq War

Operation Iraqi Freedom, the military operation that led to the invasion of Iraq, began on March 20, 2003. The operation was launched by a coalition of forces led by the United States, with the stated goal of disarming Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, ending Saddam Hussein's rule, and liberating the Iraqi people.

The Build-up to War

The decision to invade Iraq was controversial, with many countries opposing the war. The Bush administration argued that Iraq posed a threat to the United States and its allies due to its alleged possession of weapons of mass destruction and its support for terrorism. However, no evidence of weapons of mass destruction was ever found in Iraq, and the connection between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda was later disputed.

In the months leading up to the invasion, the US military deployed tens of thousands of troops to the Persian Gulf region. On March 19, 2003, President George W. Bush gave a televised address to the nation, announcing the start of military operations in Iraq.

The Initial Invasion

The invasion began with a series of airstrikes on Iraqi military targets. The US military also launched a ground invasion, with forces entering Iraq from Kuwait and Turkey. The initial stages of the invasion were marked by heavy fighting, with Iraqi forces putting up fierce resistance.

One of the key elements of the US military strategy was the use of Special Forces. These highly trained units were deployed to key locations in Iraq, including Baghdad, to disrupt Iraqi command and control and secure important infrastructure.

The Fall of Baghdad

Within a few weeks of the start of the invasion, US forces had captured Baghdad, the Iraqi capital. Saddam Hussein fled the city, and his regime quickly collapsed. The fall of Baghdad marked a major turning point in the war, as it effectively ended the Iraqi military's ability to resist the US-led coalition.

The Aftermath

The invasion of Iraq was followed by a long and bloody insurgency. The US military remained in Iraq for several years, and the country was eventually divided into three regions: Kurdistan, Shia-dominated southern Iraq, and Sunni-dominated central and western Iraq.

The Iraq War had a profound impact on the Middle East and the world. It led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and thousands of coalition soldiers. It also destabilized the region, contributing to the rise of ISIS and other extremist groups. The war also had a significant economic impact on the United States, costing trillions of dollars.

The Iraq War remains a controversial event, with historians and political scientists continuing to debate its causes, consequences, and legacy.