Iraq War and Insurgency

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The Iraq War, also known as the Second Gulf War, began with a US-led invasion on March 20, 2003. The initial phase was a conventional war aimed at overthrowing Saddam Hussein's Ba'athist regime. Coalition forces quickly defeated Iraqi military forces, capturing Baghdad by April 9, 2003. However, the invasion was followed by a prolonged insurgency and sectarian conflict, which persisted even after the US withdrawal in 2011. The insurgency involved various groups, including remnants of Saddam's regime and sectarian militias. The conflict resulted in significant casualties and displacement. The US implemented a troop surge in 2007 to stabilize the situation, which partially reduced violence. The war had lasting geopolitical impacts, including the rise of the Islamic State. It also led to significant political and social changes within Iraq, shaping the country's ongoing struggle for stability and peace.