2003 Invasion of Iraq

This article covers invasion specifics. For general information see: Iraq War, Post-invasion Iraq.

Invasion legitimacy

Many countries dispute the legitimacy of the invasion. Prior to invasion, the U.S. and U.K. attempted unsuccessfully to secure a U.N. resolution finding that Iraq was in violation of various previous resolutions and authorizing force. The U.S. structured its report to the U.N. Security Council around intelligence from the CIA and MI-5 stating that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction. Legal justification rested upon Iraq's violation of several U.N. Resolutions, most recently UN Security Council Resolution 1441. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/02/20030205-1.html U.S. president George W. Bush claimed Iraq's WMDs posed a significant threat to the United States and its allies. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030319-17.htmlhttp://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030317-7.html The Iraqi government denied the existence of any such facilities or capabilities and called the reports lies and fabrications.http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/03/17/sprj.irq.iraq.summit/index.html U.N. inspection teams capable of continuing the search were ordered out because war appeared imminent. To this date, WMDs have not been found in Iraq.http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/01/12/wmd.search/http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2005-09-02-WMD-indepth_x.htmhttp://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-09-08-powell-iraq_x.htm

Related Topics:
U.N. Security Council - CIA - MI-5 - Weapons of mass destruction - UN Security Council Resolution 1441 - George W. Bush

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