Iraq War - 2005

Significance: Held on Jan. 30, it was the first general election in Iraq since the US-led invasion. The purpose of the election was to choose representatives for the Iraqi National Assembly, who would draft the nation's permanent constitution, while serving as a transitional government.

Shi'a Dominate the Elections: The leading Shi'a political party garnered 48% of the vote, while other Shi'a parties added another 15%, giving Arab Shi'a Muslims about 63% of the seats in the National Assembly. Arab Shi'a constitute about 65% of the Iraqi population.

Very High Voter Turnout Among Kurds: Kurds comprise 15-20% of the population, living almost exclusivly in the Kurdistan region (white, outlined in blue). Due to a disproportionately high turnout among Kurds, they received about 27% of the seats in the National Assembly. Despite being primarily Sunni Muslim, Kurds have co-existed much better with Arab Shi'a in Iraq than Arab Sunnis, due to longstanding conflict with the Sunni Ba'athist government before the US invasion.

Arab Sunni Boycotts: Arab Sunni leaders sternly discouraged and otherwise threatened fellow Arab Sunnis from participating. The Sunni Ba'athist Party had long dominated as the ruling class, but as a minority in the country, Arab Sunnis would serve as the minority party in a democratic Iraq. In which case, Arab Sunnis largely avoided running for seats in the National Assembly or voting. As a result, Arab Sunnis won a mere 2% of the seats, despite comprising roughly 20% of the population.

Election-Related Violence: Arab Sunnis escalated violence in the month (Jan 1-30) leading up to the election. They promised to "wash the streets in blood" if the election proceeded. The election did proceed as planned, with about 44 deaths nationwide (about half of these in Baghdad) at polling stations due to insurgent attacks, a far cry from the carnage threatened by Arab Sunni groups such as Al-Qaeda in Iraq.

(Timeline Continued Below)

Iraqi Transitional Government Commences Rule (May 3): Elected during the January elections as the first sovereign Iraqi government. It was tasked with drafting the permanent Iraqi Constitution. The Shi'a members of the new government dominated the process of creating the new Constitution, causing Sunni members of the Constitution committee to refrain from signing the document. However, the leading Sunni political party did ratify the constitution, based upon promises of an amendment to the document, where they would be given increased input. The transitional government would govern Iraq until May 20, 2006, when it was replaced by the first permanent Iraqi government, based on the December '05 elections.

Maps.com - The World's Largest Maps Store!

Battle of Al Qaim in Al Anbar Province Resulting in US Withdrawal (May 8): Al Qaim had become a sanctuary for foreign fighters entering from Syria. The US determined it necessary to overtake the town to prevent the free flow of foreign fighters. They successfully gained control of the town from Sunni fighters, but quickly withdrew once they determined they did not have sufficient strength to maintain possession.

Convoy Ambush in Hit in Al Anbar Province (May 9): Private military contractors were transporting military supplies to US forces NW of Fallujah, but were descended upon by Sunni guerilla fighters, who killed all 17 military contractors.

Haditha (Al Anbar Province) Captured by US Troops in September after Heavy Losses in August: On Aug. 1, US snipers were overrun by insurgents just outside of Haditha, resulting in the death of all 6 in the small sniper unit. Two days later, an amphibious assault vehicle hit a roadside bomb, killing 15 out of 16 in the vehicle. The US and insurgents suffered heavy losses during operations throughout the rest of the month in the area, with insurgent losses being significantly higher. The US set out to capture Haditha in September, just as it had done with Fallujah the year before. A Fallujah-type battle was expected, but the town was surprisingly taken without a bullet being fired. Some of the insurgents involved in the sniper unit slaying were detained during the operation, and were later found guilty by an Iraqi court and executed.

Saddam Hussein's First Hearing (Oct 19): The first hearing is held in the case against Saddam for charges such as war crimes and genocide, for using chemical weapons against the Kurds in the north during the Iran-Iraq War, and for violent oppression of Shi'a in the south in response to their rebellions following the Gulf War. As the trial progressed, Saddam would refuse to appear on multiple occassions, while refusing to cooperate with questions from prosecuting attorneys in other instances.

Operation Steel Curtain around Al Qaim in Al Anbar Province (Nov 5): The US and Iraqi security forces invaded small towns surrounding Al Qaim, also being used as staging grounds for foreign jihadists entering from Syria. They successfully took a number of small sanctuary towns, killing 139 (compared to 10 deaths suffered), but Al Qaim still remained in the hands of the insurgents.

Save as much as 70% on select National Geographic merchandise!

Further Understanding: Al Anbar Campaign

Just after the 2003 US invasion, this westernmost province of Iraq was relatively peaceful, compared to much of the country. Being a Sunni stronghold, the US began efforts to bring it under coalition control after the invasion, stoking a Sunni insurgency in the province that raged at a high intensity until late 2006. After the Sunni guerillas were driven out of Fallujah by US troops in 2004, they organized throughout the rest of Al Anbar throughout 2005, carrying out strikes against US targets.

Further Understanding: Abu Ghraib Prison Abuse Scandal

US military personnel carried out shocking crimes of abuse, torture, rape and murder against those detained in the Abu-Ghraib Prison, used by the US after the invasion. The abuses were a clear violation of Geneva Convention, legally ratified by the US. The media became aware of abuses in early 2004, disseminating details as they surfaced. Twelve soldiers were convicted of charges in connection to the Abu-Ghraib scandal, most receiving minor sentences in trials carried out throughout 2005. No one has been tried for any of the major crimes committed, including homocide, despite confirmation that prisoners were murdered as a direct result of criminal behavior by US personnel. High-ranking generals and even Secretary of Defense Don Rumsfield were implicated, but never directly tied to the events at Abu-Ghraib.

(Timeline Continued Below)

Individual


First Name	Last Name

For females, use maiden name
(last name before marriage)

Father


First Name	Last Name

Mother


First Name	Last Name

Visit OneGreatFamily.com

Intensified Sunni Insurgency

Most Attacks Orchestrated by Arab Sunnis Against Shi'a Muslims: Most of the insurgent attacks were carried out by various sects of Arab Sunnis, such as former Ba'athists loyal to Saddam, or foreign jihadists, such as al-Zarqawi and his al-Qaeda in Iraq group. The Arab Shi'a were the most common victims of these attacks. Attacks against Iraqi security forces (one of the primary targets of insurgent bombings) mostly killed Shi'a, who comprised the majority of the newly-constructed Iraqi police/military. Sunnis also often victimized large or small gatherings of Shi'a civilians. Attacks were frequent in cities where there were large numbers of both Shi'a and Sunni, such as Baghdad. Hundreds of U.S. soliders were also killed (and thousands wounded) by such attacks.

Save up to 85% on over 1300 magazines at BlueDolphin.com

al-Qaeda in Iraq: al-Zarqawi, the leader of the Sunni jihadist group loyal to bin Laden, declared all-out war against all Shi'a (even civilians) on Sept. 14. This day saw a dramatic rise in deaths in Baghdad, with over 150 killed and 500 wounded. al-Zarqawi would continue to claim credit for many of the insurgent bombings until his death in June of 2006.

Overall Increase in Insurgent Attacks: Attacks increased by 29% in 2005 compared to 2004. The number of suicide bomb attacks nearly quadrupled, car bombs more than doubled, and roadside bombs nearly doubled.

Shi'a Muslims Pacified: Shi'a insurgent activity had virtually grinded to a halt in 2005, after multiple ongoing revolts in 2004. Despite being continually targeted by Sunni insurgents, Shi'a leaders admonished followers to refrain from revenge attacks, in order to avoid inflaming a civila war. They desired to give the new government a fair opportunity, especially since Arab Shi'a, long the majority segment, yet sidelined due to Sunni hegemony, were now the dominant force in the democratic system.

Iraqis Tire of US Occupation: According to a December poll, 82-87% of Iraqis opposed continued US occupation, a substantial change from previous sentiment. According to the same polll, 47% of Iraqis supported attacks against US troops.

Shi'a Turmoil

Severely Victimized by Sunni Insurgency: In 2005, the insurgency became largely Sunni-driven, as Shi'a Muslims had put away their arms and placed their trust in the political system. Sunnis ratcheted up the insurgency by dramatically increasing bombings, usually targeting Shi'ites. Shi'a were admonished to avoid seeking revenge, in order to prevent civil war, and give the new, democratically-elected Iraqi government a chance to succeed. It was in their favor, since as the majority in Iraq, Shi'a were the dominant force in the nation's new political system. Naturally, the Sunni saw this as well, and resorted to violence to derail the democratic system, which was stacked against them due to their minority status.

Shi'a Protest (Apr 9): Tens of thousands of Shi’a demonstrate in Baghdad against continued U.S. occupation.

August Civil Strife: During the month of August, supporters of the cleric al-Sadr came into conflict with members of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI). SCIRI received financial aid and support from Iran, and was accused of being an Iranian proxy. The fighting tailed off by the end of the month.

2005 Casualties:

US Military Deaths: 846

US Military Wounded: 5944

Iraqi Security Force Deaths: 2713

Insurgent Attacks: 34,131 (29% increase from 2004).

Car Bombs: 873 (up from 420 in 2004)

Suicide Car Bombs: 411 (up from 133 in 2004)

Roadside Bombs: 10,953 (up from 5,607 in 2004)

Save 20% off and Free Shipping on Select Language Learning Software

Iraq War Timeline: | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009

Next: Iraq War, (2006)

Previous: Iraq War, (2004)

Go to "History of Iraq" Interactive Map

World's Largest Selection of Maps	World Maps	Antique Maps	Classic Maps
10% OFF all orders of $100 or more! Use promotion code FALL5 upon checkout to receive your discount. Expires October 31.	Specialty/History Maps	USA Maps	Globes