British soldiers in a camp in Kuwait during Operation 'TELIC', the invasion of Iraq, 2003. ©Crown IWM (OP-TELIC 03-010-18-192)
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STORY

The 2003 War in Iraq explained

Explore the events that led from the 11 September attacks to US President George W Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair invading Saddam Hussein's Iraq.

From Saddam's use of chemical and biological weapons during the Iran-Iraq War to the First Gulf War in 1991 and from the 9/11 attacks to UN weapons inspections the Iraq War has a long and complicated history that goes far beyond oil and weapons of mass destruction.

Saddam Hussein dog toy IWM (EPH 207)
STORY

The complex legacy of Saddam Hussein

Saddam Hussein led Iraq from 1979 to 2003. During his rule he projected an image of himself as Iraq’s most influential leader and a courageous moderniser, but at the same time his repressive regime killed thousands of people.
A-10 Thunderbolt II in flight US Public Domain
STORY

The A-10 Thunderbolt II: unbeatable for close air support

The A-10 Thunderbolt II is best known for two things: the GAU-8 30 mm rotary cannon in its nose, and its ability to destroy tanks. Unpopular when first introduced, the A-10 Warthog is considered by many as very well designed to fulfil its mission: close air support to ground forces

Story written by IWM staff and copyright of Imperial War Museums (© IWM). The copyright in the images belongs to IWM as well as other third parties. Neither the stories nor the images contained may be reproduced or licenced without IWM’s permission. 

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