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This Week in History

19 March 2003

American-led Forces Invade Iraq

Iraq is invaded in order to destroy weapons of mass destruction. No such weapons are found.

In 2003, forces led by the USA invaded Iraq without the backing of the United Nations. The invasion was based on intelligence which supposedly indicated that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. This intelligence was later found to be inaccurate and no such weapons were ever found. Tens of thousands of Iraqis died during the invasion and subsequent occupation. In 2004 the Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, declared the invasion illegal.

invade (verb): enter an area with force (usually for the purposes of taking it over)
weapons of mass destruction (noun): bombs etc that can kill hundreds of people
backing (noun): support
inaccurate (adjective): not correct; not precise
invasion (noun): forceful entry into an area
subsequent (adjective): occurring later in time; following

So-called Shock and Awe attack on the city of Baghdad that heralded the start of the American-led invasion of Iraq
The so-called "Shock and Awe" attack from the air on the city of Baghdad that heralded the start of the American-led invasion of Iraq. It is seen here celebrated on the cover of a special issue of the US magazine Time.

Test your understanding:

The official reason for the invasion of Iraq in 2003 was in order to

gain control of Iraqi oil reserves
find and destroy weapons of mass destruction
punish the people who attacked the US in 2001

How many weapons of mass destruction were found and destroyed in Iraq after the invasion?

around 10,000
around 1,000
none

Which of the following countries are known to have nuclear, biological or chemical weapons of mass destruction?

the USA
Iraq
Iran

Teacher's Notes - how to use This Week in History in your classes

Contributor: Matt Errey creator of Word Up