WikipediaExtracts:Iraq War
Extracted from Wikipedia --
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{{Nobold|{{native name|ar|حرب العراق}}}}"},"part_of":{"wt":"the post–Cold War era, the Iraqi conflict and the war on terror"},"image":{"wt":"{{multiple image\n| border=infobox\n| perrow=2/2/2\n| total_width=300px\n| image1 = UStanks baghdad 2003.JPEG\n| alt1 = \n| image2 = SaddamStatue.jpg\n| alt2 =\n| image3 = Car bomb in Iraq.jpg\n| alt3 =\n| image4 = US Navy 041109-M-2789C-016 Gunnery Sgt. Ryan P. Shane (center), platoon Gunnery Sergeant assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion 8th Marine Regiment (1-8), Regimental Combat Team 7, and another member of 1-8, recover a fatally wou.jpg\n| alt4 =\n| image5 = Mastiff Armoured Vehicles in Basra MOD 45149762.jpg\n| alt5 =\n| image6 = USMC-050408-M-0245S-009.jpg\n}}\nClockwise from top left:<br />U.S soldiers at the Hands of Victory monument in Baghdad, 2003; toppling of Saddam Hussein's statue in Baghdad, 2003; U.S soldiers attempting to recover a fellow wounded soldier, 2004; U.S soldiers patrolling in Ramadi, 2005; British armored vehicles on patrol in Basra, 2008; car bombing in south Baghdad, 2005"},"date":{"wt":"20 March 2003{{snd}}18 December 2011<br />({{Age in years, months and days|20 March 2003|18 December 2011}})"},"location":{"wt":"Iraq"},"result":{"wt":"See {{section link||Aftermath}}"},"combatant1":{"wt":"{{tree list}}\n* Invasion (2003):\n* Coalition of the willing\n** {{flag|United States}}\n** {{flag|United Kingdom}}\n** {{flag|Australia}}\n** {{flag|Poland}}\n* {{flag|Kurdistan Region}}\n** {{flag|KDP}}\n** {{flag|PUK}}\n* {{flagicon image|Iraqi National Congress flag (2003).svg}} Iraqi National Congress\n** {{flagicon image|FIF flag.svg}} Free Iraqi Forces<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A42859-2003Apr6.html |title= U.S. Airlifts Iraqi Exile Force For Duties Near Nasiriyah |newspaper=The Washington Post |date= 7 April 2003 |access-date= 13 September 2009 |first= Bradley |last= Graham |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070808031321/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A42859-2003Apr6.html |archive-date= 8 August 2007 |url-status= live }}</ref><ref name=USNewsandworldreport>{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/iraq/articles/fiff030407.htm |title=Deploying the Free Iraqi Forces – U.S. News & World Report |publisher=Usnews.com |date=7 April 2003 |access-date=9 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040204044320/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/iraq/articles/fiff030407.htm |archive-date=4 February 2004 }}</ref>\n{{tree list/end}}"},"combatant2":{"wt":"Invasion (2003):<br>{{flag|Ba'athist Iraq|1991}}"},"combatant1a":{"wt":"Insurgency (2003–11):<br />{{#invoke:flag||Iraq}}<br />{{#invoke:flag||United States}}<br />{{#invoke:flag||United Kingdom}}<br />{{flagicon image|Flag of Multi-National Force – Iraq.png}} [[Multi-National Force – Iraq|MNF–I]] (2004–09)<br />{{#invoke:flag||Kurdistan Region}}<br />{{flagicon image|Flag of the Iraq Awakening Conference.svg}} Awakening Council"},"combatant2a":{"wt":"Insurgency (2003–11):<br>Sunni insurgents:{{tree list}}\n* {{flagicon image|Flag of al-Qaeda.svg}} Al-Qaeda\n**{{flagicon image|Flag of al-Qaeda in Iraq (2004–2005).svg}} AQI (2004–6)\n**{{flagicon image|Flag of Mujahideen Shura Council - Iraq.png}} MSC (2006)\n**{{flagicon|ISIL}} ISI (2006–11)\n{{tree list/end}}\n{{plainlist|\n* {{flagicon image|Flag of Islamic Army In Iraq.svg}} IAI\n* {{flagicon|Ba'athist Iraq|1991}} JRTN\n* {{flagicon image|Flag of JTJ.svg}} JTJ\n* {{flagicon image|Flag of Jihad.svg}} Jaysh al-Mujahideen \n* {{flagicon image|Flag of Jihad.svg}} 1920 Revolution Brigades\n* {{flagicon image|Flag_of_Jama'at_Ansar_al-Sunnah.svg}} Jamaat Ansar al-Sunna\n* {{flagicon image|Flag of the Iraqi Hamas.svg}} Hamas of Iraq\n----\n* Shia insurgents:\n* {{flagicon image|Flag of the Mahdi Army.svg}} Mahdi Army\n* {{flagicon image|Kata'ib Hezbollah sans logo.JPG}} Kata'ib Hezbollah\n* {{flagicon image|Flag of the Imam Ali al-Hadi Battalion.svg|size=23px}} Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq\n* {{flagicon image|Flag of Promised Day Brigades.svg}} Promised Day Brigades\n}}"},"commander1":{"wt":"{{plainlist}}\n* {{#invoke:flag|deco|Iraq}} Nouri al-Maliki\n* {{#invoke:flag|deco|United States}} George W. Bush\n* {{#invoke:flag|deco|United States}} Barack Obama\n* {{#invoke:flag|deco|United States}} Dick Cheney\n* {{#invoke:flag|deco|United States}} Donald Rumsfeld\n* {{#invoke:flag|deco|United States}} Robert Gates\n* {{#invoke:flag|deco|United States}} Tommy Franks\n* {{#invoke:flag|deco|United Kingdom}} Tony Blair\n* {{flagicon image|Flag of Multi-National Force – Iraq.png}} David Petraeus\n* {{flagicon image|Flag of United States Forces – Iraq.png}} Raymond T. Odierno\n{{endplainlist}}"},"commander2":{"wt":"{{plainlist}}\n* {{#invoke:flag|deco|Iraq|1991}} Saddam Hussein{{Executed|Execution of Saddam Hussein}}\n\n* {{flagicon image|Flag of al-Qaeda in Iraq (2004–2005).svg}} Abu Musab al-Zarqawi{{Assassinated|Abu Musab al-Zarqawi#Death}}\n* {{flagicon|ISIL}} Abu Omar al-Baghdadi{{KIA}}\n* {{flagicon|ISIL}} Abu Ayyub al-Masri{{KIA}}\n* {{flagicon image|Flag of the Mahdi Army.svg}} Muqtada al-Sadr\n{{endplainlist}}"},"strength1":{"wt":"Coalition forces (2003)<br />309,000–584,799 <br />{{#invoke:flag||United States}}: 192,000–466,985 personnel<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/07/a-timeline-of-iraq-war-tr_n_95534.html%7Ctitle=A Timeline of Iraq War, Troop Levels|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=8 July 2026|archive-date=23 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023033147/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/07/a-timeline-of-iraq-war-tr_n_95534.html%7Curl-status=live}}</ref><br />{{#invoke:flag||United Kingdom}}: 45,000<br />\n{{#invoke:flag||Australia}}: 2,000<br />{{#invoke:flag||Poland}}: 194<br />{{#invoke:flag|icon|Kurdistan Region}} Peshmerga: 70,000<br />
[[Multi-National Force – Iraq|Coalition forces]] (2004–09)<br />176,000 at peak<br />
[[United States Forces – Iraq]] (2010–11)<br />112,000 at activation<br />Security contractors 6,000–7,000 (estimate)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/m/ds/rls/rm/143420.htm |title=Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Programs Charlene Lamb's Remarks on Private Contractors in Iraq |publisher=US Department of State |date=17 July 2009 |access-date=23 October 2010 |archive-date=15 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915190152/https://2009-2017.state.gov/m/ds/rls/rm/143420.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><br />Iraqi Security Forces<br />578,269<ref>{{Cite book |author=International Institute for Strategic Studies |author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The Military Balance 2010 |date=3 February 2010 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-85743-557-3 |editor-last=Hackett |editor-first=James |volume=110 |location=London |pages=253–254 |ref=IISS2010}}</ref>\n* Iraqi Armed Forces: 191,957\n* Ministry of Interior: 386,312\n{{flagicon image|Flag of the Iraq Awakening Conference.svg}} Awakening militias<br />≈103,000 (2008)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/29/world/middleeast/29iraq.html |work=The New York Times |title=Troops Arrest an Awakening Council Leader in Iraq, Setting Off Fighting |first1=Alissa J. |last1=Rubin |author-link1=Alissa J. Rubin |first2=Rod |last2=Nordland |date=29 March 2009 |access-date=30 March 2010 |archive-date=9 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090409022109/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/29/world/middleeast/29iraq.html |url-status=live }}</ref><br />{{#invoke:flag|icon|Kurdistan}} Kurdistan Region<br />≈400,000 (Kurdish Border Guard: 30,000,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2010/1/independentstate3441.htm |title=The Kurdish peshmerga forces will not be integrated into the Iraqi army: Mahmoud Sangawi – Interview |publisher=Ekurd.net |date=22 January 2010 |access-date=23 October 2010 |archive-date=2 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402235805/https://ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2010/1/independentstate3441.htm }}</ref> Peshmerga: 75,000)"},"strength2":{"wt":".svg){kind=small}
Iraqi Armed Forces: 375,000{{efn|disbanded in 2003}}<br />
Special Iraqi Republican Guard: 12,000<br /> Iraqi Republican Guard: 75,000<br />
Fedayeen Saddam: 30,000\n----\n{{flagicon image|Flag of Jihad.svg}} Sunni Insurgents<br />≈70,000 (2007)<ref name=brookings>The Brookings Institution Iraq Index: Tracking Variables of Reconstruction & Security in Post-Saddam Iraq {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071002041710/http://www3.brookings.edu/fp/saban/iraq/index.pdf |date= 2 October 2007}} 1 October 2007</ref><br />{{flagicon image|Flag of the Mahdi Army.svg}} Mahdi Army<br />≈60,000 (2007)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/10/AR2007011002581_pf.html |title=Intensified Combat on Streets Likely |work=Washingtonpost.com |date=11 January 2007 |access-date=26 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110428213841/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/10/AR2007011002581_pf.html |archive-date=28 April 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Nasrawi |first=Salah |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/iraq/2003467318_iraqsaudi08.html |title=The Seattle Times: Iraq: Saudis reportedly funding insurgents |publisher=Seattletimes.nwsource.com |date=8 December 2006 |access-date=26 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524115849/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/iraq/2003467318_iraqsaudi08.html |archive-date=24 May 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref><br />{{flagicon image|Flag of the Islamic State in Iraq.svg}} Islamic State of Iraq<br />≈1,000 (2008)<br />{{flagicon|Ba'athist Iraq|1991}} Army of the Men of the Naqshbandi Order<br />≈500–1,000 (2007)"},"casualties_header":{"wt":"Casualties and losses"},"casualties1":{"wt":"Iraqi Security Forces (post-Saddam)<br />\nKilled: 17,690{{efn|260 killed in 2003,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2003/12/19/1013869.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123054321/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2003/12/19/1013869.htm | archive-date=23 November 2010 | title=ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) | website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date=13 May 2024 }}</ref> 15,196 killed from 2004 through 2009 (with the exceptions of May 2004 and March 2009),<ref name=\"auto1\">{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/oct/22/true-civilian-body-count-iraq | title=Iraq war logs reveal 15,000 previously unlisted civilian deaths | newspaper=The Guardian | date=22 October 2010 | last1=Leigh | first1=David | archive-date=30 July 2013 | access-date=8 July 2026 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730184028/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/oct/22/true-civilian-body-count-iraq | url-status=live }}</ref> 67 killed in March 2009,<ref name=\"marchviolence\">{{cite web |title=March violence claims 252 Iraqi lives |url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/CJAL-7QPQB7?OpenDocument |website=ReliefWeb |access-date=3 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090513082855/http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/CJAL-7QPQB7?OpenDocument |archive-date=13 May 2009 |location=Baghdad |date=1 April 2009}}</ref> 1,100 killed in 2010,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://articles.cnn.com/2011-01-02/world/iraq.casualty.figures_1_iraqi-police-mosul-police-iraqi-troops?_s=PM%3AWORLD | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116094430/http://articles.cnn.com/2011-01-02/world/iraq.casualty.figures_1_iraqi-police-mosul-police-iraqi-troops?_s=PM%3AWORLD | archive-date=16 January 2013 | title=Fewer Iraqi civilians, more security forces killed in 2010 - CNN | work=CNN }}</ref> and 1,067 killed in 2011,<ref name=\"auto\">{{cite web | url=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Aia6y6NymliRdEZESktBSWVqNWM1dkZOSGNIVmtFZEE#gid=4 | title=Iraq Unrest | access-date=8 July 2026 | archive-date=3 September 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903020133/https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Aia6y6NymliRdEZESktBSWVqNWM1dkZOSGNIVmtFZEE#gid=4 | url-status=live }}</ref> thus giving a total of 17,690 dead}}<br />\nWounded: 40,000+<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/77707.pdf |title=Iraq War |publisher=US Department of State |access-date=18 November 2012 |archive-date=16 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116040813/http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/77707.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><br />[[Multi-National Force – Iraq|Coalition forces]]<br />Killed: 4,826 (4,508 US,{{efn|The US DoD and the DMDC list 4,506 US fatalities during the Iraq War.<ref>{{cite web |title=Casualty Status as of 10 a.m. EST Jan. 23, 2025 |url=https://www.war.gov/casualty.pdf |website=US Department of Defense |access-date=29 June 2016 |archive-date=27 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727125402/https://www.defense.gov/casualty.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://dcas.dmdc.osd.mil/dcas/app/conflictCasualties | title=Defense Casualty Analysis System | access-date=8 July 2026 | archive-date=29 March 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329040958/https://dcas.dmdc.osd.mil/dcas/pages/casualties.xhtml | url-status=live }}</ref> In addition to these, two service members were also previously confirmed by the DoD to have died while supporting operations in Iraq,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/marine-lance-cpl-angel-r-ramirez/2891852 | title=Marine Lance CPL. Angel R. Ramirez| Military Times | access-date=15 June 2020 | archive-date=15 June 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615161845/https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/marine-lance-cpl-angel-r-ramirez/2891852 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-sgt-jerry-l-deloach/3512737 | title=Army SGT. Jerry L. DeLoach| Military Times | access-date=15 June 2020 | archive-date=15 June 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615161636/https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-sgt-jerry-l-deloach/3512737 | url-status=live }}</ref> but have been excluded from the DoD and DMDC list. This brings the total of US fatalities in the Iraq War to 4,508.}}{{efn|1/5 non-combat losses}} 179 UK,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/OperationsFactsheets/OperationsInIraqBritishFatalities.htm |title=Fact Sheets | Operations Factsheets | Operations in Iraq: British Fatalities |publisher=Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom |access-date=17 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091011220157/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/OperationsFactsheets/OperationsInIraqBritishFatalities.htm |archive-date=11 October 2009}}</ref> 139 other)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://icasualties.org/Iraq/index.aspx |title=Operation Iraqi Freedom |publisher=iCasualties |access-date=24 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110321080348/http://icasualties.org/Iraq/index.aspx |archive-date=21 March 2011 }}</ref><br />Missing/captured (US): 17 (9 died in captivity, 8 rescued)<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/30/world/pow-and-mia-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-fast-facts |publisher=CNN |access-date=5 June 2014 |title=POW and MIA in Iraq and Afghanistan Fast Facts |archive-date=6 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606235240/http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/30/world/pow-and-mia-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-fast-facts |url-status=live }}; As of July 2012, seven American private contractors remain unaccounted for. Their names are: Jeffrey Ake, Aban Elias, Abbas Kareem Naama, Neenus Khoshaba, Bob Hamze, Dean Sadek and Hussain al-Zurufi. Healy, Jack, \"With Withdrawal Looming, Trails Grow Cold For Americans Missing In Iraq {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251110003225/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/22/world/middleeast/22missing.html |date=10 November 2025 }}\", The New York Times, 22 May 2011, p. 6.</ref><br />Wounded: 32,776+ (32,292 US,<ref name=\"defensecasualty\">{{cite web |url=https://www.war.gov/casualty.pdf |title=Casualty |access-date=29 June 2016 |archive-date=27 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727125402/https://www.defense.gov/casualty.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> 315 UK, 210+ other{{efn|33 Ukrainians,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/DPAS-6K9H5Y?OpenDocument |title=Ukraine withdraws last troops in Iraq - Iraq | ReliefWeb |date=20 December 2005 |access-date=6 January 2011 |archive-date=8 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808232343/http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/DPAS-6K9H5Y?OpenDocument |url-status=dead }}</ref> 31+ Italians,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2003/11/13/MNGJ730QPA1.DTL |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070529065758/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2003/11/13/MNGJ730QPA1.DTL |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 May 2007 |title=Attack on Italian police kills 26 in Iraq / Gasoline truck crashes into compound |newspaper=Sfgate}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=9524 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040426022123/http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=9524 |archive-date=26 April 2004 |title=Middle East Online}}</ref> 30 Bulgarians,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3355749.stm |title=Bulgaria mourns its dead soldiers |date=30 December 2003 |archive-date=11 May 2011 |access-date=6 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511222934/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3355749.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.novinite.com/articles/33103/3+Bulgarian+Soldiers+Wounded+in+Iraq |title=3 Bulgarian Soldiers Wounded in Iraq |website=Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency |access-date=19 May 2024 |archive-date=19 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519143712/https://www.novinite.com/articles/33103/3+Bulgarian+Soldiers+Wounded+in+Iraq |url-status=live }}</ref> 20 Salvadorans,<ref>{{cite web |title=El Salvador withdraws last soldiers from Iraq |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2009-02-07-salvador-iraq_N.htm |website=USA Today |access-date=6 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209113133/https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2009-02-07-salvador-iraq_N.htm |archive-date=9 February 2009 |location=San Salvador |date=7 February 2009}}</ref> 19 Georgians,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://old.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=18470 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513160916/http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=18470%7Ctitle=Civil.Ge | Georgian Soldier Killed in Iraq|archive-date=13 May 2011|website=old.civil.ge}}</ref> 18 Estonians,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-07-04 |title=Two Estonian replacement soldiers head for Afghanistan – Estonia in UN |url=https://un.mfa.ee/two-estonian-replacement-soldiers-head-for-afghanistan/ |access-date=2026-08-23 |website=un.mfa.ee}}</ref> 14+ Poles,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.novinite.com/articles/33116/3+Bulgarian+Soldiers+Wounded%2C+Driver+Shot+Dead+in+Iraq%7Ctitle=3 Bulgarian Soldiers Wounded, Driver Shot Dead in Iraq |website=Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://iraq.pigstye.net/article.php/JuraTomasz/print |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070612101918/http://iraq.pigstye.net/article.php/JuraTomasz/print |archive-date=12 June 2007 |title=The Iraq Page: Tomasz Jura}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-16186603.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501084237/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-16186603.html |archive-date=1 May 2011 |via=HighBeam Research |url-access=subscription |url-status=usurped |title=Three Polish soldiers injured in patrol skirmish in Iraq - Xinhua News Agency | HighBeam Research}}</ref> 15 Spaniards,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,104369,00.html |title=FOXNews.com - Seven Spanish Intelligence Officers Killed in Iraq - U.S. & World |website=Fox News |date=29 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429012705/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,104369,00.html |archive-date=29 April 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Soldier dead after attack on Spanish convoy in Afghanistan |url=http://www.thinkspain.com/news-spain/17607/soldier-dead-after-attack-on-spanish-convoy-in-afghanistan |website=ThinkSpain |access-date=6 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100803145531/http://www.thinkspain.com/news-spain/17607/soldier-dead-after-attack-on-spanish-convoy-in-afghanistan |archive-date=3 August 2010 |date=1 February 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www1.albawaba.com/news/five-spanish-soldiers-four-us-troops-injured-iraq-bomb-attacks | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402224856/http://www1.albawaba.com/news/five-spanish-soldiers-four-us-troops-injured-iraq-bomb-attacks | archive-date=2 April 2019 | title=Five Spanish soldiers, four US troops injured in Iraq bomb attacks | al Bawaba | newspaper=Al Bawaba }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200404/09/eng20040409_139905.shtml | title=Three Spanish soldiers wounded in Iraq | access-date=6 January 2011 | archive-date=29 April 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429073405/http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200404/09/eng20040409_139905.shtml | url-status=live }}</ref> 10 Romanians,<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 24, 2009 |url=http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90853/6708832.html%7Ctitle=Romania's last contingent in Iraq returns home|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090728015525/http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90853/6708832.html |archive-date=2009-07-28}}</ref> 6 Australians,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/combat-troops-pull-out-of-iraq/780839.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110428201646/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/combat-troops-pull-out-of-iraq/780839.aspx |archive-date=28 April 2011 |title=Combat troops pull out of Iraq |work=Canberra Times}}</ref> 5 Albanians, 4 Kazakhs,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://iraq.pigstye.net/article.php/20050112090041443/print |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130025416/http://iraq.pigstye.net/article.php/20050112090041443/print |archive-date=30 January 2012 |title=The Iraq Page: Bomb blast kills 7 Ukrainians, 1 Kazakh serving with coalition in Iraq}}</ref> 3 Filipinos,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://asianjournalusa.com/rp-troops-to-stay-in-iraq-despite-ambush-p929-67.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707174014/http://asianjournalusa.com/rp-troops-to-stay-in-iraq-despite-ambush-p929-67.htm |archive-date=7 July 2011 |title=ASIAN JOURNAL}}</ref> and 2 Thais,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2003/12/23/1015519.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123050230/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2003/12/23/1015519.htm | archive-date=23 November 2010 | title=ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) | website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date=13 May 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Iraqi Insurgency: 2 Thai soldiers killed, 1 injured |url=http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2003/12/28/iraqi-insurgency-2-thai-soldiers-killed-1-injured-br-0 |website=Asian Tribune |access-date=7 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312140322/http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2003/12/28/iraqi-insurgency-2-thai-soldiers-killed-1-injured-br-0 |archive-date=12 March 2016 |location=Karbala |date=28 December 2003}}</ref> for a total of 210+ wounded}})<ref name=mil>Many official US tables at \"Military Casualty Information\" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303054755/http://siadapp.dmdc.osd.mil/personnel/CASUALTY/castop.htm |date=3 March 2011}}. See latest totals for injury, disease/other medical {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110602035127/http://siadapp.dmdc.osd.mil/personnel/CASUALTY/oif-total.pdf |date=2 June 2011}}</ref><ref name=antiwarcasualties>\"Casualties in Iraq\" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180128093934/https://antiwar.com/casualties/ |date=28 January 2018 }}.</ref><ref name=icasualties>iCasualties.org (was lunaville.org). Benicia, California. Patricia Kneisler, et al., \"Iraq Coalition Casualties\" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110321080348/http://icasualties.org/Iraq/index.aspx |date=21 March 2011}}</ref><ref name=ukcasualties>\"Defence Internet Fact Sheets Operations in Iraq: British Casualties\" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061114214203/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/OperationsFactsheets/OperationsInIraqBritishCasualties.htm |date=14 November 2006}}. UK Ministry of Defense. Latest combined casualty and fatality tables {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004051608/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/DoctrineOperationsandDiplomacyPublications/OperationsInIraq/OpTelicCasualtyAndFatalityTables.htm |date=4 October 2012}}.</ref><br />Injured/diseases/other medical*: 51,139 (47,541 US,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://siadapp.dmdc.osd.mil/personnel/CASUALTY/oif-total.pdf |title=Global War on Terrorism – Operation Iraqi Freedom March 19, 2003 Through May 31, 2011 By Casualty Category Within Service |access-date=7 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110602035127/http://siadapp.dmdc.osd.mil/personnel/CASUALTY/oif-total.pdf |archive-date=2 June 2011}}</ref> 3,598 UK)<ref name=mil/><ref name=icasualties/><ref name=ukcasualties/><br />Contractors<br />Killed: 3,650<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/human-cost-post-911-wars-direct-war-deaths-major-war-zones%7Ctitle=Human Cost of Post-9/11 Wars: Direct War Deaths in Major War Zones | Costs of War | Brown University|website=costsofwar.watson.brown.edu|access-date=8 July 2026|archive-date=28 June 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260628114051/https://costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/human-cost-post-911-wars-direct-war-deaths-major-war-zones%7Curl-status=live}}</ref><ref name=\"dol.gov\">{{cite web |url=http://www.dol.gov/owcp/dlhwc/dbaallnation.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100228161556/http://www.dol.gov/owcp/dlhwc/dbaallnation.htm |archive-date=28 February 2010 |title=Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) – Defense Base Act Case Summary by Nation |publisher=US Department of Labor |access-date=15 December 2011}}</ref><ref name=\"projects.propublica.org\">{{cite web |author=T. Christian Miller |url=http://projects.propublica.org/tables/contractor_casualties |title=US Government Private Contract Worker Deaths and Injuries |publisher=Projects.propublica.org |date=23 September 2009 |access-date=23 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727185847/http://projects.propublica.org/tables/contractor_casualties |archive-date=27 July 2011}}</ref><br />Wounded & injured: 43,880<ref name=\"dol.gov\"/><ref name=\"projects.propublica.org\"/><br />Awakening Councils<br />Killed: 1,002+{{efn|185 in Diyala from June 2007 to December 2007,<ref name=24sunni>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/24/world/middleeast/24sunni.html |title=Attacks Imperil U.S.-Backed Militias in Iraq |work=The New York Times |date=24 January 2008 |last1=Moore |first1=Solomon |last2=Oppel Jr |first2=Richard A. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418161020/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/24/world/middleeast/24sunni.html?pagewanted=print |archive-date=18 April 2009}}</ref> 4 in assassination of Abu Risha, 25 on 12 November 2007,<ref>Iraq Allies Claim Friendly Fire Killed 25, cbsnews.com, 15 November 2007</ref> 528 in 2008,<ref>Finding a Place for the 'Sons of Iraq', cfr.org, 9 January 2009 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161210152350/http://www.cfr.org/iraq/finding-place-sons-iraq/p16088 |date=10 December 2016 }}</ref> 27 on 2 January 2009,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/03/world/middleeast/03iraq.html |title=Suicide Attack Kills 24 at Iraqi Tribal Gathering |work=The New York Times |date=2 January 2009 |last1=Williams |first1=Timothy |last2=Mohammed |first2=Riyadh}}</ref> 13 on 16 November 2009,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.france24.com/en/node/4926131 |title=Thirteen anti-Qaeda tribe members killed in Iraq – France 24 |work=FRANCE 24 |access-date=14 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429002216/http://www.france24.com/en/node/4926131 |archive-date=29 April 2011 }}</ref> 15 in December 2009,<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Timothy |last2=Hussein |first2=Mohammed |date=2009-12-29 |title=4 Sunni Guards at Checkpoint in Baghdad Are Found Dead |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/30/world/middleeast/30iraq.html |access-date=2024-04-19 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=11 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411033057/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/30/world/middleeast/30iraq.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 100+ from April to June 2010,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/06/20106653940383435.html |title=Breaking News, World News and Video from al Jazeera |access-date=8 July 2026 |archive-date=29 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629082043/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/06/20106653940383435.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bitterness Grows Amid U.S.-Backed Sons Of Iraq |last=Garcia-Navarro |first=Lulu |publisher=NPR |date=24 June 2010 |access-date=7 June 2024 |url=https://www.npr.org/2010/06/24/128084675/bitterness-grows-amid-u-s-backed-sons-of-iraq |archive-date=7 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607205941/https://www.npr.org/2010/06/24/128084675/bitterness-grows-amid-u-s-backed-sons-of-iraq |url-status=live }}</ref> 52 on 18 July 2010,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chulov |first=Martin |date=2010-07-18 |title=Suicide bomber kills dozens of US-backed militia in Baghdad |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/jul/18/iraq-suicide-bombings-kill-militia |access-date=2024-04-19 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-07-18/bombs-targeting-sons-of-iraq-leave-at-least-44-dead.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100718205535/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-07-18/bombs-targeting-sons-of-iraq-leave-at-least-44-dead.html |archive-date=18 July 2010 |title=Bombs Targeting 'Sons of Iraq' Leave at Least 44 Dead - BusinessWeek}}</ref> leaving a total of 1,002+ dead<ref name=24sunni/>}}<br />Wounded: 500+ (2007),<ref name=24sunni/> 828 (2008)<ref>{{cite news |author=Greg Bruno |url=http://www.cfr.org/iraq/finding-place-sons-iraq/p16088 |title=Finding a Place for the 'Sons of Iraq' |newspaper=Council on Foreign Relations |access-date=26 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161210152350/http://www.cfr.org/iraq/finding-place-sons-iraq/p16088 |archive-date=10 December 2016}}</ref>\nTotal dead: 27,163<br />Total wounded: 117,961"},"casualties2":{"wt":"Iraqi combatant dead (invasion period): 7,600–45,000<ref>Conetta, Carl (23 October 2003). \"The Wages of War: Iraqi Combatant and Noncombatant Fatalities in the 2003 Conflict – Project on Defense Alternative Research Monograph #8\" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090902070831/http://www.comw.org/pda/0310rm8.html |date=2 September 2009 }}. Project on Defense Alternatives (via Commonwealth Institute). Retrieved 2 September 2010.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/usa/story/0,12271,965235,00.html |title=Jonathan Steele: Body counts |website=TheGuardian.com |date=28 May 2003 |access-date=22 November 2022 |archive-date=6 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306081240/https://www.theguardian.com/usa/story/0,12271,965235,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref><br />Insurgents (post-Saddam)<br />Killed: 26,544+ (2003–11){{efn|597 killed in 2003,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Michaels |first1=Jim |title=19,000 insurgents killed in Iraq since '03 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2007-09-26-insurgents_N.htm |website=USA Today |access-date=26 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071027121955/https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2007-09-26-insurgents_N.htm |archive-date=27 October 2007 |date=26 September 2007}}</ref> 23,984 killed from 2004 through 2009 (with the exceptions of May 2004 and March 2009),<ref name=\"auto1\"/> 652 killed in May 2004,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iraqbodycount.org/analysis/numbers/warlogs/%7Ctitle=Iraq War Logs: What the numbers reveal :: Iraq Body Count|website=www.iraqbodycount.org|access-date=8 July 2026|archive-date=16 January 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116130551/https://www.iraqbodycount.org/analysis/numbers/warlogs/%7Curl-status=live}}</ref> 45 killed in March 2009,<ref name=\"marchviolence\" /> 676 killed in 2010,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2010-12-30/iraq-civilian-deaths-drop-for-third-year-as-toll-eases-after-u-s-drawdown%7Ctitle=Iraq Civilian Deaths Decline as Toll Eases After U.S. Drawdown|newspaper=Bloomberg|date=30 December 2010|archive-date=23 December 2023|access-date=19 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223091342/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2010-12-30/iraq-civilian-deaths-drop-for-third-year-as-toll-eases-after-u-s-drawdown%7Curl-status=live}}</ref> and 590 killed in 2011,<ref name=\"auto\"/> thus giving a total of 26,544 dead}}{{efn|Not including deaths from inter-insurgent fighting and non-combat losses.}} (4,000 foreign fighters killed by Sep. 2006)<ref>\"4,000 fighters killed, 'al-Qaida in Iraq' tape says.\" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404170041/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/sep/28/iraq |date=4 April 2023 }} The Guardian. 28 September 2006.</ref><br />Detainees: 119,752 (2003–2007),<ref>\"Insurgent body count documents released.\" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727084052/https://www.stripes.com/news/insurgent-body-count-records-released-1.69423 |date=27 July 2020 }} Stars and Stripes. 1 October 2007. Number of convictions not specified.</ref>{{efn|1/3 were imprisoned for longer than four years.<ref name=brookings/>}}<br />60,000 (US and Iraqi-held, peak in 2007)<ref name=brookings/><br/>12,000 (Iraqi-held, in 2010 only)<ref name=\"cnn1\">{{cite news|url=http://articles.cnn.com/2010-09-13/world/iraq.detainees_1_detainees-iraqi-authorities-moussawi?_s=PM:WORLD%7Ctitle=Amnesty: Iraq holds up to 30,000 detainees without trial|publisher=CNN|date=13 September 2010|access-date=6 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101023155150/http://articles.cnn.com/2010-09-13/world/iraq.detainees_1_detainees-iraqi-authorities-moussawi?_s=PM%3AWORLD%7Carchive-date=23 October 2010}}</ref>\nTotal dead: 34,144–71,544+<br/>Total captured: 120,000+"},"casualties3":{"wt":"<br />Documented deaths from violence:<br />Iraq Body Count (2003 – 14 December 2011): 103,160–113,728 civilian deaths recorded<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iraqbodycount.org/ |title=Iraq Body Count |access-date=27 April 2014 |archive-date=14 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200514074255/https://www.iraqbodycount.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and 12,438 new deaths added from the Iraq War Logs<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iraqbodycount.org/analysis/numbers/warlogs/ |title=Iraq War Logs: What the numbers reveal |publisher=Iraq Body Count |access-date=3 December 2010 |archive-date=2 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202190922/http://www.iraqbodycount.org/analysis/numbers/warlogs/ |url-status=live }}</ref><br />Associated Press (March 2003 – April 2009): 110,600 Iraqi deaths in total<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_wires/2009Apr23/0,4675,MLIraqDeathToll,00.html |title=AP Impact: Secret tally has 87,215 Iraqis dead |author=Kim Gamel |date=23 April 2009 |access-date=26 April 2014 |publisher=Fox News |archive-date=3 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203173001/http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_wires/2009Apr23/0,4675,MLIraqDeathToll,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref>\n<br />Statistical estimates of total deaths (civilian and combatant, including indirect)<br />Lancet survey** (March 2003 – July 2006): 654,965 (95% CI: 392,979–942,636)<ref name=\"lancetOct2006\">{{cite web|url=http://brusselstribunal.org/pdf/lancet111006.pdf |title=Mortality after the 2003 invasion of Iraq: a cross-sectional cluster sample survey |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907130701/http://brusselstribunal.org/pdf/lancet111006.pdf |archive-date= 7 September 2015 }} {{small|(242 KB)}}. By Gilbert Burnham, Riyadh Lafta, Shannon Doocy, and Les Roberts. The Lancet, 11 October 2006</ref><ref name=\"Lancet supplement\">{{cite web |url=http://web.mit.edu/CIS/pdf/Human_Cost_of_War.pdf |title=The Human Cost of the War in Iraq: A Mortality Study, 2002–2006 |access-date=8 July 2026 |archive-date=13 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513225449/http://web.mit.edu/CIS/pdf/Human_Cost_of_War.pdf |url-status=live }} {{small|(603 KB)}}. By Gilbert Burnham, Shannon Doocy, Elizabeth Dzeng, Riyadh Lafta, and Les Roberts. A supplement to the October 2006 Lancet study. It is also found here: {{cite web |url=http://www.jhsph.edu/refugee/research/iraq/Human_Cost_of_WarFORMATTED.pdf |title=Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health |access-date=9 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071128182122/http://www.jhsph.edu/refugee/research/iraq/Human_Cost_of_WarFORMATTED.pdf |archive-date=28 November 2007 }} [1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513225449/http://web.mit.edu/CIS/pdf/Human_Cost_of_War.pdf |date=13 May 2023 }}</ref><br />Iraq Family Health Survey*** (March 2003 – July 2006): 151,000 (95% CI: 104,000–223,000)<ref name=\"Iraq Family Health Survey\">\"Iraq Family Health Survey\" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231140443/http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsa0707782 |date=31 December 2017 }} New England Journal of Medicine 31 January 2008</ref><br />Opinion Research Business**: (March 2003 – August 2007): 1,033,000 (95% CI: 946,258–1,120,000)<ref>{{Cite web|date=16 September 2007|title=Greenspan admits Iraq was about oil, as deaths put at 1.2m|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/sep/16/iraq.iraqtimeline%7Caccess-date=12 July 2020|website=the Guardian|language=en}}</ref>\n<br />PLOS Medicine Study**: (March 2003 – June 2011): 405,000 (60% violent) (95% CI: 48,000–751,000)<ref name=\"Hagopian\" />\nFor more information see Casualties of the Iraq War."},"notes":{"wt":"* \"injured, diseased, or other medical\": required medical air transport. UK number includes \"aeromed evacuations\".<br />** Total excess deaths include all additional deaths due to increased lawlessness, degraded infrastructure, poorer healthcare, etc.<br />*** Violent deaths only – does not include excess deaths due to increased lawlessness, poorer healthcare, etc.<br />**** Sukkariyeh, Syria was also affected (2008 Abu Kamal raid)."},"campaignbox":{"wt":"{{Campaignbox Iraq War}}{{Campaignbox Persian Gulf Wars}}"}},"i":0}}]}" id="mwDQ"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1374427404" about="#mwt545" typeof="mw:Extension/templatestyles" data-mw='{"name":"templatestyles","attrs":{"src":"Hlist/styles.css"},"body":{"extsrc":""}}'/><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1126788409" about="#mwt546" typeof="mw:Extension/templatestyles" data-mw='{"name":"templatestyles","attrs":{"src":"Plainlist/styles.css"},"body":{"extsrc":""}}'/>
The Iraq War (Arabic: حرب العراق, romanized: ḥarb al-ʿirāq<link rel="mw:PageProp/Category" href="./Category:Articles_containing_Arabic-language_text" about="#mwt550" id="mw6A"/>), also referred to as the Second Gulf War (Gulf War II), was a protracted armed conflict in Iraq from 2003 to 2011. It began in March 2003 with the invasion by a United States–led coalition, which resulted in the overthrow of the Ba'athist government of Saddam Hussein. During the US occupation of Iraq, the conflict persisted as an insurgency that arose against coalition forces and the newly established Iraqi government. US forces were officially withdrawn in 2011. In 2014, the US became re-engaged in Iraq, leading a new coalition under Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, as the conflict evolved into the ongoing Islamic State insurgency.
The Iraq invasion was part of the Bush administration's broader war on terror, launched in response to the September 11 attacks. In October 2002, the US Congress passed a bipartisan resolution granting Bush authority to use military force against Iraq. The war began on March 20, 2003, when the US, joined by the UK, Australia, and Poland, initiated a "shock and awe" bombing campaign. Coalition forces launched a ground invasion, defeating Iraqi forces and toppling the Ba'athist regime. Saddam Hussein was captured in 2003 and executed in 2006.
The fall of Saddam's regime created a power vacuum, which, along with the Coalition Provisional Authority's mismanagement, fueled a sectarian civil war between Iraq's Shia majority and Sunni minority, and contributed to a lengthy insurgency. In response, the US deployed an additional 170,000 troops during the 2007 troop surge, which helped stabilize parts of the country. In 2008, Bush agreed to withdraw US combat troops, a process completed in 2011 under President Barack Obama.
Among the international law justifications advanced by the United States for the Iraq War were the inherent right of anticipatory self-defense and prior authorization by the Security Council. The primary rationale for the invasion centered around false claims that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and that Saddam Hussein was supporting al-Qaeda. The 9/11 Commission concluded in 2004 that there was no credible evidence linking Saddam to al-Qaeda, and no WMD stockpiles were found in Iraq. These false claims faced widespread criticism, in the US and abroad. Kofi Annan, then secretary-general of the United Nations, declared the invasion illegal under international law, as it violated the UN Charter. The 2016 Chilcot Report, a British inquiry, concluded the war was unnecessary, as peaceful alternatives had not been fully explored. Iraq held multi-party elections in 2005, and Nouri al-Maliki became Prime Minister in 2006, a position he held until 2014. His government's policies alienated Iraq's Sunni minority, exacerbating sectarian tensions.
The war led to an estimated 150,000 to over a million deaths, including over 100,000 civilians, with most occurring during the post-invasion insurgency and civil war. The war had lasting geopolitical effects, including the emergence of the extremist Islamic State, whose rise led to the 2013–2017 War in Iraq. The war damaged American international reputation, and Bush's popularity declined. UK prime minister Tony Blair's support for the war diminished his standing, contributing to his resignation in 2007.
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