The Invasion of Iraq (2003) — Modern History Summarized
On 19 March 2003, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Poland, along with support from 40 other nations (coalition of the willing), launched a large-scale invasion of Iraq, codenamed Operation Iraqi Freedom, with the set goals to disarm Iraq from weapons of mass destruction and to free the Iraqi people by toppling the Republic of Iraq’s government, the Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party, and unseating the president of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, a supporter of terrorism across the world. The invasion also subsequently led to the collapse of the Islamic Emirate of Byara, an internationally unrecognized state, which declared independence from Iraq two years earlier.
The invasion started a little chaotically in the early hours of 19 March, when the United States conducted airstrikes against Baghdad. Originally, the U.S. was planning for a non-nuclear decapitation strike, to rapidly kill 55 high-ranking Iraqi officials, however, this plan was abandoned due to reports that Saddam Hussein was visiting family in al-Dora. None of the Iraqi leadership was present in the compound at the time of the airstrikes.
At 21:00 on 19 March, the United States began the air bombing campaign of Iraq, which was quickly followed by ground forces entering Iraqi territory, formally beginning Operation Iraqi Freedom, which started without a formal declaration of war.
The first major battle of the invasion was the battle of Nasiriyah, where American and British troops fought for control of Nasiriyah, the capital of Dhi Qad Governate, Iraq. The main battle lasted from 23–27 March, but by 2 April, the United States and United Kingdom and complete control of the city. The battle gained major attention across the United States, due to fictional stories about Private First Class Jessica Lynch during the battle, which were ran on the front page of The Washington Post as well as the Associated Press.
On 21 March, the United Kingdom, supported by the United States, Australia, and Poland, launched an assault on Basra, a strategic port city and second largest city in Iraq. On 24 March, the British surrounded Basra and began laying siege to the city. When the battle began, water and electricity became scarce as the British destroyed most of Basra’s power grid. Also on March 24, the International Red Cross announced that a humanitarian crisis was ongoing in Basra, with 60% of the population of between 1–1.5 million. On 27 March, the United Kingdom’s Royal Scots Dragoon Guards fought in the largest tank battle of the invasion, destroying 14 Iraqi tanks. The battle ended on 6 April, when the United Kingdom successfully captured Basra. Following the battle the United Kingdom began a military occupation of the city, which was widely celebrated by the local population.
The next major battle was the battle of Najaf, where the United States, supported by the UK’s Royal Air Force fought for control of Najaf, the capital of Najaf Governate, Iraq. The battle lasted from 24 March to 4 April, when the American forces had completely secured control of Najaf. The battle resulted in the deaths of up to 800 people. During the battle, the United States military completed Objective Jenkins and Objective Floyd, which resulted in the surrounding of Najaf prior to the city being captured. The battle was significant as it resulted in the fall of an Iraqi Governate as well as a crucial crossroad city, which had strategic highways leading towards Baghdad.
On 28 March 2003, over 7,000 troops from the United States Special Forces and CIA, along with the Peshmerga, an autonomous political and military entity in Iraq, launched Operation Viking Hammer, which had the set goal to eliminate Ansar al-Islam and collapse the Islamic Emirate of Byara’s government, which was founded by former al-Qaeda members. By 30 March, the United States and Peshmerga had gained control of Halabja, Iraq, the capital of Halabja Governorate, the largest city of the Islamic Emirate of Byara. The battle and invasion within an invasion, was highly recognized, with the U.S. News & World Report stating Operation Viking Hammer “would go down in the annals of Special Forces history”.
The final major event of the invasion of the fall of Baghdad, the capital of Iraq. Starting on 3 April, a combined force of 30,000 American and British soldiers fought for control of Baghdad against up to 45,000 Iraqi soldiers. The battle resulted in a decisive coalition victory, with the city being captured by 9 April. The United States formally claimed victory over the city on 15 April. The battle resulted in over 2,300 deaths, with only 34 of those being soldiers in the coalition.
The invasion formally ended on 1 May when United States President George W. Bush gave the Mission Accomplished speech. The invasion resulted in the complete collapse of the Ba’ath Party of Iraq as well as the search for Saddam Hussein, who fled from the coalition forces during the invasion. The coalition also began an occupation of Baghdad and Iraq following the successful invasion. The invasion ultimately resulted in the deaths of 171 coalition soldiers, 24 Peshmerga soldiers, and up to 45,000 Iraqi deaths.
Modern History Summarized in a history series where, you guessed it, modern day historical events are summarized for you to read and learn about!
The Invasion of the West Bank (2002) {Previous}
