On March 19, 2003, US, UK, Australian and Polish forces invaded Iraq with the goal of unseating Suddam Hussain's Baathist government. The allies claimed that the regime had "weapons of mass destruction" which posed a threat to world peace. No such weapons were ever found.
Within 21 days, Baghdad would be under coalition control and major combat ceased. Years of occupation and terrorist bombings against military and civilian targets would follow.