Invasion of Iraq: In what becomes known as the "Mission Accomplished" speech, on board the USS Abraham Lincoln (off the coast of California), U.S. President George W. Bush declares that "major combat operations in Iraq have ended".

The year 2003 marked a pivotal moment in modern Middle Eastern history with the commencement of the Iraq War, beginning with the swift, decisive phase known as the 2003 invasion of Iraq. This initial military campaign officially launched with an aerial assault on March 19, 2003, quickly followed by ground operations on March 20, 2003. The invasion phase, characterized by its rapid progress and intense engagements, spanned just over a month, encompassing 26 days of major combat operations. During this period, a formidable coalition of military forces, primarily from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Poland, executed a coordinated invasion of Iraq.

A mere 22 days after the invasion began, the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, fell to Coalition forces on April 9, 2003, following the intense six-day Battle of Baghdad. The formal conclusion of this early, major combat stage was declared on May 1, 2003, by then-U.S. President George W. Bush, who, speaking aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, announced the "end of major combat operations" in what became famously known as his "Mission Accomplished" speech. This declaration ushered in a new phase for Iraq, leading to the establishment of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) as the initial transitional governing body, paving the way for a series of successive interim administrations, culminating in Iraq's first parliamentary election in January 2005. While major combat operations ceased, U.S. military forces maintained a significant presence in Iraq, remaining in the country until their final withdrawal in 2011.

The Coalition and Its Rationale

The U.S.-led coalition deployed approximately 160,000 troops into Iraq during the initial invasion phase, which ran from March 19 to May 1, 2003. The vast majority of these forces were American, accounting for about 130,000 soldiers (approximately 73%). The United Kingdom contributed a substantial contingent of roughly 45,000 soldiers (about 25%), while Australia provided around 2,000 soldiers (1%), and Poland added 194 soldiers (0.1%). Beyond these primary contributors, 36 other nations became involved in the post-invasion stabilization efforts. In a strategic maneuver preceding the invasion, some 100,000 U.S. troops had already assembled in Kuwait by February 18, positioning themselves for the imminent cross-border operation. The coalition forces also benefited from crucial ground support provided by the Peshmerga, Kurdish forces operating in Iraqi Kurdistan.

According to statements from U.S. President George W. Bush and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, the primary objectives of the coalition were multifaceted: "to disarm Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, to end Saddam Hussein's support for terrorism, and to free the Iraqi people." These justifications were articulated even as a United Nations inspection team, just prior to the invasion's commencement, had reported finding absolutely no evidence of existing weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) in Iraq. Many observers also emphasize the profound impact of the September 11 attacks on U.S. strategic calculations, alongside the rising prominence of the "freedom agenda" in American foreign policy, as critical underlying factors influencing the decision to invade. Prime Minister Blair, in particular, framed the invasion as a consequence of Iraq's failure to seize a "final opportunity" to disarm itself of alleged nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, which U.S. and British officials characterized as an immediate and intolerable threat to global peace.

Global Reactions: Public Opinion and Opposition

Public sentiment regarding military action in Iraq was complex and varied. A January 2003 CBS poll revealed that 64% of Americans approved of military action against Iraq; however, the same poll indicated that 63% desired President Bush to pursue a diplomatic solution over war, and a significant 62% believed that a war would likely increase, rather than decrease, the threat of terrorism directed against the U.S. Internationally, the invasion faced strong opposition from several long-standing U.S. allies, including the governments of France, Canada, Germany, and New Zealand. Leaders of these nations critically argued that there was insufficient evidence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and, consequently, that invading the country was not justified, especially in light of the UNMOVIC (United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission) report of February 12, 2003.

During the course of the Iraq War, approximately 5,000 chemical warheads, shells, or aviation bombs were indeed discovered. However, these were remnants from an earlier era, manufactured and abandoned during Saddam Hussein's rule prior to the 1991 Gulf War. Crucially, the discovery of these older chemical weapons did not corroborate the government's primary invasion rationale concerning currently active WMD programs, thus failing to support the stated justification for military intervention.

A month before the invasion, on February 15, 2003, the world witnessed widespread protests against the impending war. These demonstrations included a massive rally in Rome, which attracted three million people and was subsequently listed by the Guinness Book of Records as the largest anti-war rally ever recorded. According to French academic Dominique Reynié, an estimated 36 million people across the globe participated in nearly 3,000 protests against the Iraq War between January 3 and April 12, 2003, underscoring the profound global opposition to the conflict.

The Invasion's Course and Aftermath

The military campaign commenced dramatically with an airstrike on the Presidential Palace in Baghdad on March 20, 2003. The very next day, coalition ground forces launched a major incursion into Basra Province, moving from their staging areas near the Iraqi-Kuwaiti border. Concurrently, special forces conducted an amphibious assault from the Persian Gulf to secure key objectives like Basra and its surrounding petroleum fields. The main invasion army advanced rapidly into southern Iraq, quickly occupying the region and engaging in fierce combat, notably the Battle of Nasiriyah on March 23. Extensive airstrikes targeting command-and-control centers and military installations across the country played a critical role in disrupting the defending Iraqi army, throwing it into disarray and largely preventing an effective, coordinated resistance. Further north, on March 26, the 173rd Airborne Brigade was airdropped near the city of Kirkuk, where they joined forces with Kurdish rebels to engage Iraqi Army units and secure the northern sector of the country.

The principal coalition forces continued their rapid drive toward the heart of Iraq, encountering relatively light resistance along their route. The majority of the Iraqi military was swiftly overcome, leading to the occupation of Baghdad on April 9. Other critical operations included the capture and occupation of Kirkuk on April 10, and the attack on and seizure of Tikrit on April 15. As coalition forces consolidated their control over the country, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and his central leadership went into hiding. The invasion period formally concluded on May 1 when President George W. Bush declared an end to major combat operations, marking the transition from an invasion to a period of military occupation.

The "Mission Accomplished" Speech Controversy

The "Mission Accomplished" speech, delivered by U.S. President George W. Bush on May 1, 2003, aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, was a televised address that became a focal point of debate. The speech's iconic name stemmed from a large banner displayed prominently behind the president, bearing the phrase "Mission Accomplished." While President Bush himself stated, "Our mission continues" and "We have difficult work to do in Iraq," he also explicitly declared the "end to major combat operations in Iraq." Although he never personally uttered the exact phrase "Mission Accomplished," the banner, combined with his assertion that the United States and its allies had "prevailed," created a strong public perception that the war was over and won. This perception, however, proved to be far from the reality on the ground. The assertion and the banner quickly became highly controversial as guerrilla warfare intensified across Iraq, leading to a protracted insurgency. Tragically, the vast majority of both military and civilian casualties in the Iraq War occurred in the years following this premature declaration.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2003 Iraq Invasion

What was the official start date of the 2003 Iraq invasion?
The aerial invasion commenced on March 19, 2003, followed by ground operations on March 20, 2003.
Which countries were the primary members of the initial invasion coalition?
The main forces came from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Poland.
What were the stated reasons for the invasion?
According to U.S. President George W. Bush and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, the goals were to disarm Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, end Saddam Hussein's support for terrorism, and free the Iraqi people.
When did President George W. Bush declare the "end of major combat operations"?
President Bush made this declaration on May 1, 2003, in his "Mission Accomplished" speech.
Was the "Mission Accomplished" speech controversial?
Yes, it became highly controversial because while the banner proclaimed "Mission Accomplished," intense insurgency and the vast majority of casualties occurred after this declaration, indicating that the conflict was far from over.
Were weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) found in Iraq after the invasion?
While older chemical warheads and bombs from before the 1991 Gulf War were discovered, no active WMD programs or stockpiles that would have supported the primary invasion rationale were found.
How long did U.S. military forces remain in Iraq after the 2003 invasion?
U.S. military forces remained in Iraq until their full withdrawal in 2011, long after the initial invasion phase and the declaration of the end of major combat operations.
Did the invasion face international opposition?
Yes, it faced strong opposition from several U.S. allies, including France, Canada, Germany, and New Zealand, largely due to the lack of evidence of WMDs.
Were there protests against the invasion?
Yes, massive worldwide protests took place prior to the invasion, including one in Rome that drew three million people, making it the largest anti-war rally in history.