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This Week in HistoryThis Week in History: Week 12 (19 March 2003)

American-led Forces Invade Iraq

Iraq is invaded in order to destroy weapons of mass destruction. No such weapons are found.

In 2003, forces led by the USA invaded Iraq without the backing of the United Nations. The invasion was based on intelligence which supposedly indicated that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. This intelligence was later found to be inaccurate and no such weapons were ever found. Tens of thousands of Iraqis died during the invasion and subsequent occupation. In 2004 the Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, declared the invasion illegal.

invade (verb): enter an area with force (usually for the purposes of taking it over)
weapons of mass destruction (noun): bombs etc that can kill hundreds of people
backing (noun): support
inaccurate (adjective): not correct; not precise
invasion (noun): forceful entry into an area
subsequent (adjective): occurring later in time; following

So-called Shock and Awe attack on the city of Baghdad that heralded the start of the American-led invasion of Iraq
The so-called "Shock and Awe" attack from the air on the city of Baghdad that heralded the start of the American-led invasion of Iraq. It is seen here celebrated on the cover of a special issue of the US magazine Time.

Mini Quiz

1. The official reason for the invasion of Iraq in 2003 was in order to
a) gain control of Iraqi oil reserves
b) find and destroy weapons of mass destruction
c) punish the people who attacked the US in 2001

Show answer

b

2. How many weapons of mass destruction were found and destroyed in Iraq after the invasion?
a) around 10,000
b) around 1,000
c) none

Show answer

c

3. Which of the following countries are known to have nuclear, biological or chemical weapons of mass destruction?
a) the USA
b) Iraq
c) Iran

Show answer

a

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Contributor: Matt Errey. Matt is the author of several books including 1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context and Common English Idioms for learners, and Matt's ESL Games and Quizzes for teachers.