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Detailed Timeline of
Iraq History
Iraq War (2003 - 2009)
Go to "History of Iraq" Interactive Map
Attack Against Kurds (Feb 1): Iraqi suicide bombers, targeting Kurds, killed 117 in a building in Arbil. Baghdad Bombings (Feb 10-11): Nearly 100 people killed in Baghdad during car bombs at police/army recruiting centers. Shi'ites Targeted in Baghdad (Mar 2): Nearly 200 Shi’a were killed in Baghdad and Karbala during a Shi’a religious festival. (Timeline Continued Below)
Violence in Basra (Apr 21): More than 73 killed in suicide bombings in Basra. Note: Early 2004 Insurgency Slow-Down. Ba’athists were especially provoked in 2003, as the Iraqi army (led by Ba’athists) was disbanded, and the occupying US provisional government refused to negotiate or work with Ba’athists. Disorganized Ba'athist revolts were easily handled by US-led forces in 2003, forcing insurgents to pull back in early 2004 to re-evaluate their tactics.
Note: Shi’a Dissatisfaction. The Shi'a Muslims were heavily oppressed by the Ba'athist Saddam regime, and therefore, very welcoming of the US invasion. As time wore on, they became disenchanted by what they perceived to be broken promises, economic and infrastructural ruin and spiraling unemployment. Plus, they were now faced with the realization that the US did not appear ready to withdraw anytime soon, as a short occupation was expected. Further Understanding: About Shi'a Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr al-Sadr was the leader of the Shi'a uprising of 2004, and remains a prominent figure in the Iraqi Shi'a community. His father and father-in-law were Ayatollahs (experts in Islamic studies). al-Sadr gained a following based on his illustrious heritage, anti-occupation rhetoric and advocating the replacement of secular law in favor of Islamic/Shari'a law. When the coalition provisional government shut down his newspaper in March, and later attempted to arrest him (on charges of inciting violence and murder), he spearheaded the Mahdi Army. He later secured an agreement with US authorities in Iraq, allowing him to maintain freedom and participate in the political system. He left for Iran in 2007 to commence with studies to become an Ayatollah. Maps.com - The World's Largest Maps Store!
Sunni Insurgency in Fallujah Intensified (March-April): On March 31, Sunni insurgents killed four private military contractors in the streets of Fallujah, then mutilated their bodies. Combatants also began to detonate IEDs with greater frequency. Using more sophisticated fighting techniques, apparently with help of Ba'athist former army officers, Sunni insurgents took over part of Fallujah in April. Shi'a Mahdi Army Takes Najaf, al-Kut, Kufa and Sadr City (April): The al-Sadr-led army quickly overwhelmed the US and newly-trained Iraqi security forces in this Shi'ite region, an area where a rebellion was not expected. US Withdraws from Sunni-Held Fallujah (Apr 30): With mounting civilian deaths, the US decided to pull out of the city on April 30. An agreement was reached to cede autonomy to the Sunni-controlled city of Fallujah. Sunni insurgents also gained control of Samarra and Baquba. Ramadi (just outside Fallujah) was largely controlled by rebels. Further Understanding: Composition of Sunni Insurgency The Sunni insurgents were a combination of Ba'athist loyalists, desiring a return to a Saddam-style secular government dominated by the Ba'athist Party, along with fundamentalist Sunni jihadists, hoping to establish a Taliban-style Islamic government. The jihadists were led by al-Zarqawi, who would later pledge allegiance to bin-Laden, renaming his organization "Al-Qaeda in Iraq". The two groups were ideologically opposed, but set their differences aside to wage war against the US, US-led Iraqi security forces and Shi'a groups. Chief Shi'a Politician Assassinated (May 17): The Head of the Iraqi Governing Council, a Shi'ite Muslim from Basra, was killed by a suicide car bomb in Baghdad, compounding the instability of the interim government. Mahdi Army Defeated by US Forces - Still Retain Control of Parts of Najaf and Sadr City (Jun 6): US troops methodically closed in on the Shi'a army, forcing al-Sadr into a peace settlement. The US was willing to negotiate in order to avoid further revolts that could be expected with the slaying or detainment of al-Sadr. al-Sadr agreed to surrender in exchange for his freedom, and the ability to enter the political process. Iraqi Interim Government Takes Over Governing Duties (June 28, 2004): The transfer of power represented the transition from a US-run interim government to an Iraqi-run interim government. Iyad Allawi was installed as the Prime Minister of the Iraqi Interim Government. He was a Shi'a Muslim who had also served on the Iraqi Governing Council under the US-run CPA. His appointment infuriated Sunni Muslims in particular, causing an increase in Sunni insurgent attacks. Iraqis in general, and especially militants saw Allawi as a mere puppet of the US, and his reign did little to slow the widespread revolt. Save as much as 70% on select National Geographic merchandise!
Further Understanding:
The CPA was established as a transitional governing body to manage the affairs of Iraq until a sovereign Iraqi government could be set up. James Garner was selected as the head of the CPA by the Bush Administration, but when he resisted the idea of completely marginalizing Ba'athists, he was swiftly replaced less than one month into his reign, replaced by Paul Bremer. Bremer immediately ordered the "de-Ba'athification" of Iraq, disbanding the Iraqi army, and prohibiting the presence of any Ba'athists on the Iraqi Governing Council, a group of 13 officials who were given certain powers under the oversight of the CPA. This policy added to the intensity of the insurgency, as Ba'athists became a major force behind many of the ongoing uprisings throughout Iraq. The CPA also controversially initiated the process of privatizing the Iraqi economy, which was previously state-planned. It was criticized for changing laws as an occupier, as opposed to leaving legislation up to a democratically-elected Iraqi government. On the other hand, privatization was deemed crucial to plug Iraq into the global economy. Fighting Resumes with Shi'a Mahdi Army - US Relinquishes Najaf (August): US Marines become increasingly aggressive in entering Shi'a controlled areas of Najaf, re-igniting combat with the Mahdi Army. The US gained the advantage, but the urban warfare proved difficult, precipitating another settlement. al-Sadr was again guaranteed freedom, and he and his supporters were again allowed to enter the political process. This time, the US agreed to forfeit control of the city to the Iraq Governing Council (a council of 13 prominent Iraqis taking reins of portion of US provisional government). September Attacks Against Shi'a Muslims: On Sept. 14, a car bomb in a Shi’ite neighborhood of Baghdad killed 47. On Sept. 30, 41 were killed in car bomb in another Shi’ite area of Baghdad. Thirty-four of the victims were women and children.
Further Understanding:
A Jordanian citizen who joined bin-Laden in Afghanistan shortly after the Afghan war with the USSR. Upon his return to Jordan in 1992, he was imprisoned for 5 years for a conspiracy to overthrow the monarchy, and establish a Muslim Caliphate in its place. After 9/11, al-Zarqawi joined Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan to fight the Americans. Before the Iraqi invasion, he joined a Kurdish Sunni jihadist group in northern Iraq to fight against the Kurds and Saddam's regime. al-Zarqawi's presence in Northern Iraq was used in the Bush Administration's case to invade Iraq, despite the fact that Zarqawi was an enemy to Saddam. After the Iraq War started, he formed his own jihadist group, later changing the name to "Al-Qaeda in Iraq" as a show of loyalty and unity with bin-Laden. Zarqawi orchestrated several acts of violence against Iraqi and American targets until being killed in 2006 by US air strikes. Save up to 85% on over 1300 magazines at BlueDolphin.com
Sunni Stronghold of Talafar Captured by US (Sept 1-12): Seized by US troops since the city served as a point of entrance for foreign fighters and weapons via Syria. Armed Shi'a Revolt in Sadr City (September): A substantial portion from the Shi'a Mahdi Army relocated from Najaf to Sadr City with their weapons after reaching a truce with the US. Once in Sadr City, they refused to relinquish their weapons or consent to US patrols of Sadr City. At this point, the Mahdi Army was no longer under al-Sadr's command, and began fighting with US troops on Sept 6. US forces took on small losses, while Mahdi army suffered greater losses, but still continued with their armed revolt. Sunni Strongholds of Samarra & Baquba Captured by US (Sept 30 - Oct 4): US troops achieved a quick, decisive victory in both Sunni stronghold cities, although violent rebel activities persisted. Shi'a Revolt Ends (October): Mahdi Army remnants in Sadr City finally handed over their weapons to US forces, ending the fighting. Najaf, under the guidance of cleric al-Sadr, continued to be generally peaceful since the August agreement. Al-Sadr continued to participate in the political process in Shi’a-dominated southern cities (Najaf and Sadr City in particular). al-Zarqawi Changes Name of Jihadist Group to "Al-Qaeda in Iraq" (Oct 17): Initially known as Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad (Group of Monotheism and Jihad), but changed to "Al-Qaeda in Iraq" to cement Zarqawi's allegiance to bin Laden. The group escaped US forces in Fallujah, carrying out suicide/car bombs throughout Iraq, targeting US forces and Shi’a. These campaigns resulted in the death of large numbers of women and children, drawing the ire of many Iraqis, especially since Zarqawi and associates largely consisted of foreign fighters. (Timeline Continued Below)
US Wins Battle for Fallujah vs Sunni Insurgents (Nov - Jan): As US troops surrounded the city in preparation to clear out the Sunni rebels, nearly the entire civilian population evacuated, along with about half the insurgency fighters disguised among them. The US then suffered heavy losses in taking the city, while inflicting even greater losses upon the insurgents. The US forces would attain victory, suffering about 50 deaths in doing so, while killing about 3,000-4,000 Sunnis. The flood of escaped rebels had the unintended consequence of igniting fighting and attacks in places such as Baghdad and Mosul, dramatically increasing violence in these other cities. While US officially held control of Fallujah, violent acts of rebellion continued, while most civilian refugees opted against returning. Note: Aggressive US Campaign to Contain Sunni Insurgency. The objective was to gain control over Sunni-dominated areas before the January Iraqi elections. It was feared that the January elections would be considered illegitimate if large swathes of the country were under Sunni control, and therefore unable to participate.
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Iraq" Interactive Map
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US Headquarters Attacked
(Jan 18, 2004): A car bomb exploded outside
the US base in Iraq, killing 20 mostly Iraqis.
Shi'ite Newspaper Shut Down in Najaf,
Instigating Rebellion (Mar 29): al-Sadr's
newspaper is shut down by US troops, due to its scathing criticism of
the US occupation, and for provoking violence against occupying
soldiers. In retaliation, as-Sadr forms the Mahdi Army from loyal
followers to launch an armed revolt against the US.
