War in Iraq: Troop Movement

The war against Iraq began on March 20, 2002, when the U.S lunched “Operation Iraqi Freedom”. This was after President Bush called Iraq part of an “Axis of Evil”, also calling the country dangerous which threatened the U.S with weapons of mass destruction. The major phase of the war began when U.S troops marched within 50 miles of Baghdad with heavy aerial attacks on Baghdad and other cities. After the attack on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, which was believed to be the work of Al Qaeda, the U.S was concerned about the security of the Untied States and that led us into the war in Iraq. Even though U.S officials felt the war in Iraq is the main priority, but many people in U.S opposes the war which brings up a lot of controversial issues. Some people feel that lives of troops are put on risk for unnecessary reason, and people are also concerned about the innocent civilians getting killed in Iraq. Also, billions of tax payer’s dollars are spent on the war which could be used for other major issues within our country such as poverty, education and security.

The main reason for invading Iraq was because America was concerned about the nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons Saddam Hussein might have. Intelligence indicated Saddam was reconstructing its nuclear weapons program and maintained links to Al Qaeda who it might give such weapons to use against the United States. After two years of examining Iraq, the weapon search group failed to find any weapons of mass destruction stockpiles or any program to produce them. The Bush administration has expressed disappointment that no weapons or started programs to produce weapons were found, but the White House had been reluctant to call off the search, holding out the possibility that weapons were moved out of Iraq before the war or are hidden somewhere inside the country. This is when Bush gave a televised warning to Hussein to get rid of the weapons and disarm or else they would be attacked. He gave Hussein 48 hours and stated, "Whatever action is required, whenever action is necessary, I will defend the freedom and security of the American people."

March 19- March 25

The war begins when the United States launches cruise missiles and precision-guided bombs at site near Baghdad where Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is believed to be meeting with top aides. The ground campaign begins the following day, with the U.S. and British forces racing to take oil fields in southern Iraq and limit the damage done to them by retreating Iraqis. A small number are set on fire.

The coalitions “shock and awe” air campaign over Baghdad beings March 21.

British forces circle the southern city of Basra.

At the end of the first week, the coalition’s move toward Baghdad is slowed by sandstorms and ambushes by Iraqi soldiers on supply routes.

March 26- April 1

About 1,000 U.S. paratroopers land in northern Iraq and work with Kurdish forces to battle Iraqi troops in the region.

British forces remain outside Basra, seeking to avoid street-to-street combat in Iraq’s second largest city. Coalition forces being to clear mines and take the city of Umm Qasr.

American warplanes destroy a building in the city where 200 paramilitary fighters were believed to be meeting.

Fighting