Operation Iraqi Freedom March 2003

Target We will be able to give specific details about Operation Iraqi Freedom to better understand the US’ involvement in the Middle East.

Let’s take 5 to check our knowledge … When had the US gone to war with Iraq previously? WHY had the US gone to war with Iraq the first time? WHY was the US fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan? January 1991 – Desert Storm Iraq invaded Kuwait and oil was at stake! They were hiding Osama bin Laden – after 9/11 attacks

So … why did the US invade Iraq a 2 nd time in 2003? WMDs Connections with Al-Qaeda Free the Iraqi citizens from the oppressive dictator, Saddam Hussein.

WMDs After the Persian Gulf War ended in 1991 Iraq was told that it could not produce WMDs. However, the US believed Iraq was in fact producing WMDs. Remember … they had the knowledge … they had produced them before … AND they had USED them twice before! On Iran and later on the Kurds! Hussein refused to allow the UN to check facilities to ensure he was not making WMDs. Therefore, the US believed Hussein was producing these weapons – violating the 1991 agreement.

Connections with Al-Qaeda It was believed that Hussein had connections with Al-Qaeda and trading weapons with them! It was believed that Iraq was financially supporting Al-Qaeda. It was believed that Al-Qaeda training camps were located in Iraq.

Free Iraqi citizens from an oppressive government 1983 – arrested & executed 8000 Kurdish males – ages 13 and up! Arrested 300 Kurdish children! 1987 – 1988 – 100,000 Kurds killed! 1990 – law passed that a male can kill a female relative in the name of honor without punishment! People executed without a trial! Torture very common! Hussein would kill anyone who opposed him or he felt was a threat to his leadership!

The War March 19, US declares war on Iraq. April 9 th – Baghdad falls and Hussein flees

Results Dec 14, Hussein captured. – Put on trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity - killing thousands of his own people and using chemical weapons on the Kurds and Iranians. – Iraqi court found him guilty – sentenced him to death – 1 week later he was hung.

Results However … no WMDs were found US continued fighting insurgents while helping Iraq to rebuild and establish a democratic government. US officially ended combat in Iraq in 2010.

Iraqi Today Government – parliamentary government – However … very unstable! Economy – Largely state-run – Based in oil – However … very unstable!

TOD SUMMARIZE … – List 3 reasons why the US invaded Iraq in 2003 – List 2 examples of Saddam Hussein’s crime against humanity. – List 1 way the government of Iraq changed after Hussein.

Previous invasions in Middle East Iraq – When? _________________ Why? __________________ Afghanistan – When_______________ Why? _____________ Why did the US invade Iraq a 2 nd time? 1._____________________ 2.Connections with _______________________ 3.______________ Iraqi citizens from the oppressive dictator, Saddam ____________ The War March 19, ______________ declares war on Iraq April 9, _____________ falls and Hussein flees Results _______________ - Hussein captured Put on trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity Found guilty and sentenced to death No ____________ found _____________ - US officially ended combat Iraq Today Government - ____________________________________ Economy – Largely state run Based in ____________ Operation Iraqi Freedom