Keeping up with political debates today means that you’ll need to know at least a little about the Iraq War. The war has been hotly debated in many different segments of the population since it began and the debate will more than likely continue for some time to come. To understand the different positions on the war, it’s helpful to know the history of the war.

The Iraq War began on March 20, 2003 after the United States and other countries led an invasion into Iraq. The war has sometimes also been referred to as the Second Gulf War, the Occupation of Iraq, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Even before the invasion, many people protested against military action while others supported the invasion.

Supporters of the war, including United States President George Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, argued that Iraq was compiling weapons of mass destruction that could be used against other countries. They also linked Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein with al-Qaeda, the group responsible for the 9/11 attacks in the U.S. and terrorist acts in other countries. Today, these claims have largely been discredited as no weapons of mass destruction or links to al-Qaeda have yet been found.

The initial invasion included forces, equipment, and support from around forty countries. These forces quickly defeated Hussein’s army and captured Baghdad, Iraq’s capital city. Much of the Iraq army disappeared during the looting and disorder that followed the capture of the city.

A multinational coalition was established to govern Iraq until it could establish its own democratic government. The Coalition Provisional Authority took over in April 2003 and continued until June 2004. Iraqis would later elect a transitional government of their own.

Forces captured Saddam Hussein in December 2003. An Iraqi court found him guilty of crimes against humanity and he was executed in December 2006. Even with Hussein out of power, insurgent activities have continued since shortly after the invasion.

The Iraqi insurgents have attacked coalition forces as well as Iraqi citizens. Most attacks have happened in the Sunni Triangle, which includes the city of Baghdad. Tactics have included suicide bombs, snipers, roadside and car bombs, and many other types of guerilla warfare.

Coalition forces have continued to try to suppress the insurgents. Air attacks have been common for insurgent targets and possible ambush sites. More coalition soldiers have been killed by insurgents than in the initial invasion.

The Iraq war has also seen allegations and evidence of prisoner abuse. Abuse at Abu Ghraib, a prison where Iraq prisoners were held, received international attention. Other allegations have surfaced from time to time about illegal interrogations and prisoner abuse.

Criticism and protests over the war have existed since before the invasion. This has increased as the original reasons for invasion appear to have been false, the quality of life for many Iraq citizens has decreased, and insurgency continues to take the lives of both soldiers and citizens.

The Iraq War has been a complicated political event and learning more about the Iraq War can help you understand the various sides of the debate. Regardless of where you stand, the war has been an important event in the first decade of the twenty-first century.