Operation Iraqi Freedom

Operation Iraqi Freedom.
 The Iraq War or War in Iraq, also referred to as the Second Gulf War or Operation Iraqi Freedom

March 20, 2003 – August 31, 2010 (2721 days)

 

Beginning September 1, 2010, the American operational name for its involvement in Iraq changed from "Operation Iraqi Freedom" to "Operation New Dawn." The remaining 50,000 U.S. troops are now designated as "advise and assist brigades" assigned to non-combat operations while retaining the ability to revert to combat operations as necessary.

At 9:34 PM EST on March 19, 2003 (5:34 AM local time in Baghdad on March 20), United States and United Kingdom forces consisting of 40 cruise missiles and strikes led by 2 F-117s from the 8th Fighter Squadron (supported by Navy EA-6B Prowlers) and other aircraft began conducting military operations against the state of Iraq designed to disarm Iraq of its weapons of mass destruction and to remove the Iraqi Regime from power. Less than two hours after a deadline expired for Saddam Hussein to leave Iraq, the sound of air raid sirens were heard in Baghdad. A short time later, President Bush addressed the American public stating that coalition forces were in the "early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger." The name of this Operation for British troops is Operation Telic. For Australian Troops involved, it is Operation Falconer.

The military objectives of Operation Iraqi Freedom consist of first, ending the regime of Saddam Hussein. Second, to identify, isolate and eliminate, Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. Third, to search for, to capture and to drive out terrorists from the country. Fourth, to collect intelligence related to terrorist networks. Fifth, to collect such intelligence as is related to the global network of illicit weapons of mass destruction. Sixth, to end sanctions and to immediately deliver humanitarian support to the displaced and to many needed citizens. Seventh, to secure Iraq's oil fields and resources,
which belong to the Iraqi people. Finally, to help the Iraqi people create conditions for a transition to a representative self-government
Operation Iraqi Freedom consisted of the largest special operations force since the Vietnam War While the vast majority of special operations forces were American, the United Kingdom and the Australian militaries also provided forces. In northern Iraq there was a significant special operations presence. Coalition personnel worked with Kurdish fighters against the regime. SOF helped bring in the 173rd Airborne Brigade, and marked and called in coalition air power on regime targets. Special operations forces were also responsible for attacking a number of specific targets such as airfields, weapons of mass destruction sites, and command and control headquarters. In the south, special operations personnel gave aid to conventional forces and did some of the work in the cities to help the Shi'ia elements.

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• 1 2001–2003: Iraq disarmament crisis and pre-war intelligence
  • 1.1 UN weapons inspections resume
  • 1.2 Alleged weapons of mass destruction
    • 1.2.1 Yellowcake uranium
    • 1.2.2 Poison Gas
    • 1.2.3 Biological weapons
    • 1.2.4 Result
  • 1.3 Preparations for Iraq war
  • 1.4 Opposition to invasion
• 2 2003: Invasion
  • 2.1 Coalition Provisional Authority and Iraq Survey Group
  • 2.2 Post-invasion phase
  • 2.3 Hunting down the Hussein regime
• 3 2004: Insurgency expands
• 4 2005: Elections and transitional government
• 5 2006: Civil war and permanent Iraqi government
  • 5.1 Iraq Study Group report and Hussein's execution
• 6 2007: U.S. troop surge
  • 6.1 Planned troop reduction
  • 6.2 Effects of the surge on security
  • 6.3 Political developments
  • 6.4 Tensions with Iran
  • 6.5 Tensions with Turkey
  • 6.6 Private security firm controversy
• 7 2008: Iraqi forces arm
  • 7.1 Spring offensives on Shia militias
  • 7.2 Congressional testimony
  • 7.3 Iraqi security forces rearm
  • 7.4 Status of forces agreement
• 8 2009: Coalition redeployment
  • 8.1 Transfer of Green Zone
  • 8.2 Provincial elections
  • 8.3 Exit strategy announcement
  • 8.4 Sixth anniversary protests
  • 8.5 Coalition forces withdraw
  • 8.6 Iraq awards oil contracts
• 9 2010: U.S. drawdown and Operation New Dawn
  • 9.1 U.S. withdrawal
  • 9.2 Ongoing tensions
  • 9.3 Iraqi security forces transition towards self reliance
  • 9.4 UN lifts restrictions on Iraq
• 10 2011
• 11 Casualty estimates
• 12 Criticism and cost
• 13 Humanitarian crises
• 14 Human rights abuses
  • 14.1 Iraqi government
  • 14.2 Coalition forces and private contractors
  • 14.3 Insurgent groups
• 15 Public opinion on the war
  • 15.1 International opinion
  • 15.2 Iraqi opinion