20 years after the invasion of Iraq: a chronology of the blitzkrieg that caused a conflict of years and thousands of deaths

On March 20, 2003, a coalition of 40 countries led by USAinvaded Iraq. In December 2011, the last US soldier left this country, although the withdrawal from the combat mission took place already in August 2010.

According to the non-governmental organization Iraqi Body Count, more than 100,000 Iraqis died in the seven years of conflict, as well as more than 4,700 US soldiers, in addition to other losses in the international coalition.

CHRONOLOGY

– January 29, 2002 – President USAGeorge W. Bush, includes Iraq in the so-called “axis of evil” during his speech on the state of the nation.

– November 2002 – Inspectors return to Iraq in search of weapons of mass destruction, while the UN warns of “serious consequences” if Baghdad refuses this “last chance”.

– January 27, 2003 – The inspectors concluded that there was no conclusive evidence against Iraq.

– March 16, 2003 – Summit in the Azores: George W. Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair; and Spanish Prime Minister José María Aznar; issue a final ultimatum Saddam Husseinbefore the attack.

War

– March 20, 2003 – A coalition of 40 countries led by USAinvades Iraq.

– 2003, April 9. – Troops reach the center of Baghdad and demolish the statue of Saddam Hussein in Fardus Square.

– 2003, May 1. – In a speech on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln, President George W. Bush announces the end of “major hostilities” in Iraq.

– May 22, 2003 – The UN hands over the mandate to the occupying forces.

– July 13, 2003 – The Governing Council of Iraq is established, the first demonstration of democratic power in Iraq how violence spreads across the country.

Saddam’s capture

– December 13, 2003 – saddam captured south of Tikrit.

– March 2, 2004 – At least 181 dead in Karbala and Baghdad, coinciding with Shiite Ashura day.

– April 2004 – The resistance chooses the abduction of foreign civilians as a policy of intimidation.
The American television channel CBS broadcasts footage of the alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners in the Abu Gharib prison.

– June 2004 – The Interim Coalition Authority transfers power to a new Iraqi government with Shiite Iyad Alavi as prime minister.

– November 2004 – The assault on Fallujah, completed after three weeks, in which more than 1,600 insurgents were killed.

– March 31, 2005 – The Presidential Commission concludes that the special services USA they were wrong in their assessment of the presence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

– October 15, 2005 – 78% of Iraqis approve of the new Iraqi constitutioninterrogated by the Sunni community.

Sectarian violence spreads

– February 2006 – The destruction of the dome of the Shiite sanctuary in Samarra triggers a wave of sectarian violence in the country.

– April 22, 2006 – Four months after the election, newly re-elected President Jalal Talabani tasked Shia Nouri al-Maliki with forming a new government.

— December 30, 2006 — Saddam Hussein hanged in Baghdad, convicted of crimes against humanity.

– January 2007 – President George W. Bush announces that an additional 21,500 troops will be sent to Iraqto stop the wave of violence in the country: according to the UN, more than 34,000 civilians died in 2006.

– August 14, 2007 – At least 250 people were killed in an attack recorded in the province of Nineveh, the deadliest since the fall of Saddam.

withdrawal of troops

– September 3, 2007 – Britain withdraws its troops from Basra.

– June 30, 2009 – US troops are withdrawing from Iraqi cities in accordance with an agreement signed with the Iraqi parliament last December.

– February 27, 2009 – new president USABarack Obama announces the departure of the bulk of the troops for August 2010.

– August 18, 2010 – Last US Combat Brigade retires two weeks early Iraq. Operation New Dawn begins, focused on support and advisory missions.

– December 2011 – The last American soldier leaves Iraq. (EFE)