Anniversary of the Official End of War in Iraq

In 2003, a U.S.-led coalition invaded Iraq to topple the government headed by Saddam Hussein. While Ba’athist Iraq was quick to fall, the resulting power vacuum led to civil war in Iraq and perpetual insurgency. Coalition forces continued to occupy the country through Dec. 15, 2011, marking the first official withdrawal from Iraq. But in 2014, the United States redeployed forces in Iraq as part of a combined operation against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL.

Since 2003, tens of thousands of Americans have served or continue to serve in Iraq, many of whom still suffer from the lingering effects of the wars.

Our full article: Anniversary of the official end of the War in Iraq