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Iraq War

Iraq War

The Iraq War began in March 2003. False intelligence was presented by the Bush administration suggesting that Iraq's leader Saddam Hussein was gathering weapons of mass destruction to distribute to extremists. Despite worldwide protests at invading a sovereign nation without hard evidence, a U.S. invasion of Iraq was planned with the goal of 'regime change.' The Iraq War led to the capture, trial and execution of Sadaam Hussein by an Iraqi jury. As of January 2011, 50,000 U.S. forces remain stationed in Iraq training Iraqi security and law enforcement personnel.

Top Questions Asked on ChaCha.com for Iraq War

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  1. How many American troops have died in the Iraq war?

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Top Questions Asked on ChaCha Mobile for Iraq War

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About Iraq War

In the aftermath of the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center in 2001, the United States looked around at nations that were supportive of Muslim extremists and began planning for war. While evidence showed that the Taliban government of Afghanistan was sheltering Osama bin Laden and the Islamic extremists responsible for the 9/11 attack, Iraq was also named as a potential target for attack.

'Operation Iraqi Freedom' begin on March 20, 2003. General Tommy Franks spearheaded the invasion. By April 9, Baghdad was captured by US forces and by April 15, the invasion was over.

By May 1, 2003 President George W. Bush declared ''Mission Accomplished,'' however insurgency soon flared up in Iraq. Insurgents came mainly from from Ba'ath party (the party of Sadaam Hussein) and those angered by the U.S. occupation. It should be noted that many civil servants, doctors and teachers were members of the Ba'ath Party, because membership in the Ba'ath party was a requirement for public servants. Insurgents used guerrilla tactics to demoralize US forces.

In 2006 and 2007, Civil war broke out in Iraq between Sunni and Shi'a groups. By 2007, the US launched an aggressive ''troop-surge'' strategy to strengthen security. In the ensuing months, the violence levels slowly decreased.

Upon the election of Barack Obama in 2008, an 18-month withdraw program was begun. As the War in Afghanistan intensified and the War in Iraq grew less popular, Obama decided to focus on Afghanistan,

Costs of the Iraq War

The independent organization IraqBodyCount.org has tracked reports of civilian deaths from the Iraq War, both as 'collateral damage,' and from violence among Iraqis. IraqBodyCount estimates that 99,383-108,500 Iraqi civilians died since the invasion began. (Count as of January 21, 2011)

The Congressional Research Service (7-5700 crs.gov RL33110) has reported on the total financial cost of the Iraq War, as follows:

''Total War Funding by Operation
Based on DOD estimates and budget submissions, the cumulative total for funds appropriated
from the 9/11 attacks through the FY2010 Supplemental Appropriations Acts for DOD,
State/USAID and VA for medical costs for the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and enhanced security is
$1,121 billion including:

• $751 billion for Iraq;
• $336 billion for Afghanistan;
• $29 billion for enhanced security; and
• $6 billion unallocated''

The Iraq War became unpopular with the American people, and had much to do with President Bush's decreasing popularity at the end of his term. During his campaign, now-President Barack Obama promised to withdraw from Iraq.

Related Images

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Grand Marshal and Iraq War Veteran J.R. Martinez participates in the 123rd Annual Rose Parade on January 2, 2012 in Pasadena, California.

US Vice President Joe Biden(L), and US President Barack Obama(R) walk together to attend ceremonies at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, December 20, 2011, at Andrews Air Force Base, to celebrate the return of Commanding General Lloyd Austin and US Forces with the Iraq Colors. The return of the command flag to US soil marks the official end of the war in Iraq. Photo/Paul J. Richards.

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 20: U.S. President Barack Obama arrives back at the White House, on December 20, 2011 in Washington, DC. Obama is flew to Joint Base Andrews to attend a ceremony marking the return of the United States Forces-Iraq Colors, the flag that was lowered in Baghdad last week as the U.S. declared the war in Iraq over.

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MD - DECEMBER 20: U.S. President Barack Obama (L) greets troops during a ceremony to mark the return of the United States Forces-Iraq Colors and the end of the Iraq war on December 20, 2011 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. The last U.S. troops left Iraq on December 18, 2011 ending the was after nearly nine years.

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Iraq War