Iraq (2003–2011)
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| Iraq (2003–2011) | |
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| Name | Iraq (2003–2011) |
| Period | 2003–2011 |
| Caption | Transition from Ba'athist rule to Iraqi sovereignty |
| Capital | Baghdad |
| Common languages | Arabic language, Kurdish language |
| Currency | Iraqi dinar |
| Event start | 2003 invasion of Iraq |
| Date start | March 2003 |
| Event end | Withdrawal of United States troops from Iraq |
| Date end | December 2011 |
- Background and Invasion (2002–2003)
- Coalition Occupation and Interim Governance (2003–2004)
- Transfer of Sovereignty and Iraqi Government Formation (2004–2006)
- Insurgency, Sectarian Conflict, and Internal Security (2003–2008)
- Political Developments and Reconstruction Efforts (2006–2011)
- Drawdown of US Forces and End of Mission (2007–2011)
Iraq (2003–2011) was the period when the Iraq War transformed Iraq from Ba'athist rule under Saddam Hussein into a sovereign Iraqi state following occupation by a United States-led coalition, intense insurgency, sectarian conflict, and extensive reconstruction efforts that culminated in the 2011 withdrawal of US forces. The era encompassed international legal debates involving the United Nations Security Council, regional diplomacy with Iran and Saudi Arabia, and domestic political contests among Shi'a, Sunni, and Kurdish leaders.
Background and Invasion (2002–2003)
In late 2002 and early 2003, administrations including the George W. Bush administration and cabinets such as the Tony Blair ministry engaged intelligence agencies like the Central Intelligence Agency and MI6 around claims regarding weapons of mass destruction and alleged links to Al-Qaeda. Diplomatic exchanges featured the United Nations Security Council, the Hans Blix-led UNMOVIC, and the International Atomic Energy Agency concerning Iraq and weapons of mass destruction. On 20 March 2003 the 2003 invasion of Iraq saw coalition forces including units from the United States Army, United Kingdom Armed Forces, Australian Army, and Polish Land Forces commence operations such as the Battle of Nasiriyah and the Fall of Baghdad, resulting in the collapse of the Saddam Hussein regime and the capture of strategic sites like the Al-Rashid Hotel.
Coalition Occupation and Interim Governance (2003–2004)
After regime collapse, the Coalition Provisional Authority under Paul Bremer assumed executive authority, issuing orders such as CPA Order 1 and CPA Order 2 that affected the Iraqi Armed Forces and former Ba'ath Party officials, while military governance included Multi-National Force – Iraq command structures and operations by units like the 101st Airborne Division. Security incidents such as the Hussein Kamel al-Majid aftermath and the early insurgency increased attacks on convoys, Green Zone installations, and contractors such as Blackwater USA, prompting detentions, trials by Central Criminal Court of Iraq, and debates in the International Criminal Court-adjacent community. Humanitarian and reconstruction agencies including the United States Agency for International Development and United Nations Development Programme coordinated with local institutions such as the Iraqi Ministry of Interior and the Iraqi National Museum to restore services.
Transfer of Sovereignty and Iraqi Government Formation (2004–2006)
The Iraqi Interim Government and later the Iraqi Transitional Government emerged following the 2004 Iraqi interim constitution process, elections like the 2005 Iraqi parliamentary election, and constitutional drafting by the Iraqi Governing Council and figures such as Ayad Allawi and Ibrahim al-Jaafari. The 2005 Iraqi Constitution referendum and formation of bodies including the Council of Representatives of Iraq led to premierships of leaders like Nouri al-Maliki and presidencies such as Jalal Talabani. Parallel power centers included the Kurdistan Regional Government under Masoud Barzani and political blocs such as the United Iraqi Alliance, as debates over de-Ba'athification, oil revenue sharing, and provincial powers engaged regional actors like Turkiye and international actors like the European Union.
Insurgency, Sectarian Conflict, and Internal Security (2003–2008)
Insurgent groups, militias, and terrorist organizations including Al-Qaeda in Iraq, Mahdi Army, and various Sunni insurgent networks fought coalition and Iraqi forces, producing major incidents such as the 2004 Fallujah uprising, the 2006 al-Askari mosque bombing, and the 2007 Baghdad market bombings. Sectarian violence between Shi'a militias and Sunni Arab groups, and reprisals involving Kurdish forces like the Peshmerga escalated into displacement crises recorded by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and mass-casualty events like the 2006–07 sectarian civil war in Iraq. Counterinsurgency operations by commanders such as David Petraeus and policies like the 2007 Iraq troop surge sought to stabilize urban centers through initiatives including the Anbar Awakening and partnerships with tribal leaders, while intelligence coordination involved agencies like the Defense Intelligence Agency.
Political Developments and Reconstruction Efforts (2006–2011)
Post-2006 politics featured coalition negotiations among blocs like the State of Law Coalition, the Sadrist Movement, and the Kurdistani Alliance over ministries, oil legislation debated against the backdrop of the Iraqi Oil Law controversy, and international agreements such as the 2008 SOFA. Reconstruction projects funded by the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund and contractors including Bechtel and Halliburton aimed to rebuild infrastructure from power plants to hospitals, while institutions such as the Central Bank of Iraq managed macroeconomic recovery amid fluctuations in oil production and global markets influenced by organizations like OPEC. Transitional justice issues engaged bodies like the High Tribunal and civil society groups including Iraqi Red Crescent Society, while foreign diplomacy involved envoys from Iran–Iraq relations and meetings with United Nations envoys.
Drawdown of US Forces and End of Mission (2007–2011)
Following the 2007 Iraq troop surge, negotiations between the United States and Iraqi authorities produced the Status of Forces Agreement, setting timelines that led to phased withdrawals culminating in the Withdrawal of United States troops from Iraq in December 2011. The drawdown affected United States Central Command planning, left security responsibilities to the Iraqi Security Forces including the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police, and altered regional calculations involving the Islamic Republic of Iran and Syria. Post-withdrawal challenges included unresolved political disputes over Kirkuk and disputed territories, the resurgence of militant groups that later reconstituted as Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, and ongoing reconstruction tracked by agencies like the World Bank and United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq.