The Iraq War was a protracted armed conflict that began with the 2003 invasion of Iraq by a United States-led coalition, joined by the United Kingdom and several coalitions allies. The invasion regime toppled the government of Saddam Hussein. However, the conflict continued for much of the next decade as an insurgency emerged to oppose the occupying forces and the post-invasion Iraqi government. The United States officially withdrew from the country in 2011 but became re-involved in 2014 at the head of a new coalition.

     The invasion began on 20 March 2003 with the coalition allies launching a “shock and awe” bombing campaign. Iraqi forces were quickly overwhelmed as U.S. forces swept through the country. The invasion led to the collapse of the Ba’athist government; Saddam was captured on 13 December 2003 in Operation Red Dawn and executed by a military court three years later.

     The U.S. military formally ended the Iraq War in a ceremony on 15 December 2011 which marked the completion of the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. The official withdrawal too place on 18 December 2011 in accordance with the U.S.-Iraq Status of Forces Agreement.