Introduction
The Iraq war is one of most significant events of recent times. War on Iraq was imposed on Iraq by United States of America and its allies. The war was started on the pretext of weapons of mass destruction and Saddam Hussein’s involvement in terrorist activities against America. America and allied forces alleged that Iraq is a treat to America and world because of its involvement in making weapons of mass destruction. This paper aims to propose a discussion on war on Iraq and presents a firsthand account of the war on Iraq.
Background
The attack of 9/11 raised serious concerns over security of Americans and generated a panic. Our government started raising the issue of Iraqi involvement in various terrorist activities and claimed that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction. It was alleged that Saddam Hussein is supporting terrorist activities. The American government provided various justifications for attack on Iraq. United States Government formed Office of Special Plans (OSP). The team was assigned responsibility to provide information on Iraq and lead by Defense secretary of USA i.e. Donald Rumsfeld (Copson).
The Defense Secretary provided information that Saddam Hussein has close association with Al Qaeda, and Iraq has biological & chemical weapons. Rumsfeld also raised possibility of nuclear weapons in Iraq. United States and United Kingdom demanded disarmament of Iraq and the issue reached at turning point in year 2002, when President Bush asked for complete end to end inspection of production of different types of mass destruction weapons. American government asked Iraq to comply with the United Nation Security Council Resolutions. Bush also demanded for uninterrupted inspections of different weapon production units that were found suspected by United Nations’ inspectors.
During late 2002, Iraq agreed for the inspection under U.N. Security Council Resolution 1441. In the year 2003, a team conducted inspection under the leadership of David Kelly. The team identified two illegal weapon laboratories that were originally formed for the purpose of formation of hydrogen gas. After inspection, the team conformed about Iraqi cooperation and said that disarmament can be achieved if Iraq continues its cooperation. During year 2002, America and UK increased their aircraft patrolling in Iraq’s no-fly zone (Copson).
The purpose was to degrade Iraq’s air defense system. During October 2002, around 75 senators in a close session informed that Iraq is planning to attack on East side of U.S.A with Chemical weapon or biological weapon through UAVs. Colin Powell in February 2003 presented more evidences to United Nation that Iraqis running program on WMD. There was a difference of opinion among different institutions on the issue of attacking on Iraq. There was a lack of strong intelligence input and officials asked each other whether these inputs were right or not. Politicians, on the other hand, appeared to be eager on attacking Iraq (Galbraith).
A preamble for the war on Iraq was prepared by American president. A CIA team rushed to Iraq in July 2002 and was joined by JSOC. I was also a part of this team that analyzed the ground situation and prepared a plan to initiate the attack on Iraq. American military initiated attack on the Iraq by 20th March 2003 without any official declaration of the war. American General Tommy Franks lead the “Operation Iraqi Freedom”. United Kingdom, Australia and Poland co-operated American forces directly the invasion against Iraq while various other nations contributed in this war by providing services, information, arms and ammunitions (Bonn).
General Franks initiated the operation with the goal of end the war in a quicker manner, but I must say that Iraqis were well-prepared for the war. Iraqis countered us with their full strength. Though our forces launched an absolute attack on Iraq and they attacked Iraq through air strikes, as well as, ground attacks. Australian, polish and English navy supported American marine troops. The goal of these attacks was to demolish Iraqi defense and at the same time, coalition forces ensured the safety of oil fields.
We planned the attack very strategically. Our 3rd infantry division progressed towards westward and further towards northward crossing western desert. On other hand, America’s first Marine Expeditionary Force progressed towards east following Highway 1 and crossing country’s center. U.K.’s Armored Division progressed towards northwest by crossing eastern marshland. Our first marine division seized majority of large road junctions and Talil Airfields locate nearby Nasiriyah (Bonn).
After seizing Talil Airfield and also Nasiriyah the third U.S. infantry division which was supported by 101st Airborne continued attacking towards north Najaf & Karbala. However, the sand storm impacted the progress of advance coalition and halted the consolidation. It was ensured that the supply lines are safe and secure. After sand storm infantry division again started securing Karbala gap in order to ensure its approach to the Baghdad. Infantry division seized and secured the bridges of Euphrates River. My infantry entered into the Iraq region by using Baghdad’s gap. In the center of the Iraq, America’s first marine division also fought fromBaghdad’s eastern side in order to attack it and seize it.
Iraqis tried their best but they could not stand in front of our strength and most lethal forces. Iraqi forces succumbed to coalition attacks and within a month of attack, Iraq was badly defeated. I became witness how reign of Saddam Hussein came to an end and coalition forces captured Iraq. Members and supporters of bath party were executed; I myself shot dozens of them. Iraq was stuck in a complicated situation and there was a chaos everywhere in the Iraq. I saw how complete civil disorder took place and people started looting shops, banks and even arms and ammunitions (Bonn).
The invasion of Iraq came to an end when Saddam Hussein’s native town Tikrit was captured by coalition forces after a resistance from Iraqi forces. Saddam Hussein was captured by coalition forces and was later executed by Americans. Thousands of Iraqi soldiers were killed in Iraqi war while thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians also lost their lives in this war. Almost two hundred armed personnel from coalition forces were also killed in the Iraqi war. The war on Iraq was over in less than two months of its beginning, and Saddam Hussein was confined in pages of history (Galbraith).
A number of dissenting voices surfaced during and after the war on Iraq. Former president bill Clinton suggested thinking twice before engaging in war with Iraq. A number of American people and politicians opposed war on Iraq. Dissident voices came from different nations. China, Russia, Germany, Canada and France did not support the war on Iraq and these nations advocated finding alternate ways to solve the issue. These nations also objected the excuse that was opted to attack Iraq. They questioned American intentions once the war on Iraq was over.
The war on Iraq corroborates tat United States of America has a hidden agenda of dominating the world. US seeks opportunities to lodge its power and the Iraq war is one of such various instances. Iraq war is a lesson for the United Nations that the agency should apply its own rationale while considering on such issues instead of merely following any particular nation. Iraq was made an example of sheer selfishness. Many people and scholars blame that the whole operation was made under pressure of corporate houses and they were interested in the oil rather than bringing democracy in the Iraq.
Conclusion
After observing the overview of war on Iraq, it can be concluded that Iraqi war was an important event that started a new chapter in the Iraq. The era of Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein came to an end by this war. Americans and coalition forces proved their supremacy. Weapons of mass destruction were not found ever as alleged by United States of America and its allies. The war on Iraq claimed thousands of human lives and Iraq witnessed a new chapter of disorder and anarchy. The world came to realize how powerful nations manipulate their power and execute their policies on weaker nations.
Works Cited
Bonn, Scott A. Mass Deception: Moral Panic and the U.S. War on Iraq. Piscataway, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2010.
Copson, Raymond W. The Iraq War: Background and Issues. New York: Nova Publishers, 2003.
Galbraith, Peter W. Unintended Consequences: How War in Iraq Strengthened America's Enemies. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2008.
