View source for Occupation of Iraq (2003–2011)

{{Short description|Aspect of the Iraq War}}
{{Lead too short|date=June 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
[[File:Ramadi august 2006 patrol.jpg|thumb|right|Soldiers on patrol during the [[American occupation of Ramadi]], 16 August 2006]]
The '''occupation of Iraq (2003–2011)''' began on [[2003 invasion of Iraq|20 March 2003]], when the [[United States]] invaded with a military coalition to overthrow Iraqi president [[Saddam Hussein]] and his [[Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Iraq Region|Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party]], and continued until [[Withdrawal of United States troops from Iraq (2007–2011)|18 December 2011]], when the final batch of American troops left the country. While the United States, the [[British involvement in the Iraq War|United Kingdom]], and [[Australian involvement in the Iraq War|Australia]] were the largest contributors to the coalition, 29 other countries, such as [[Japanese Iraq Reconstruction and Support Group|Japan]], were involved in the [[Iraq War]] in a lesser capacity. Additionally, several [[private military contractors]] took part in enforcing the occupation.

It was a period of violence and political turmoil, and saw strong foreign influence exerted on Iraqi politics. In April 2003, the fall of Saddam's government was formally marked by the establishment of the [[Coalition Provisional Authority]], which later appointed and granted limited powers to the [[Iraq Interim Governing Council]]. In June 2004, the [[Iraqi Interim Government]] was established, ending the international armed conflict that had existed between Iraq (that is, [[Ba'athist Iraq]]) and the United States. Following the [[January 2005 Iraqi parliamentary election]], this administration was replaced by the [[Iraqi Transitional Government]]. A year later, the [[Al Maliki I Government]] took office.

[[Investment in post-invasion Iraq|Efforts to rebuild post-Saddam Iraq]] were slowed when the American-led military coalition and the new Iraqi government became locked in a grueling conflict with a stronger-than-expected militant [[Iraqi insurgency (2003–2011)|Iraqi insurgency]], leading to difficult living conditions for the country's population throughout the period.

==Military government==
[[File:Raid during Operation Thar Thar Dam.jpg|thumb|right|Marines from D Company, [[3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion]] guard detainees prior to loading them into their vehicle, April 2003]]

A [[military occupation]] was established and run by the [[Coalition Provisional Authority]] (CPA), which later appointed and granted limited powers to an [[Iraq Interim Governing Council]]. Troops for the invasion came primarily from the [[United States]], the [[United Kingdom]], and [[Australia]], but 29 other nations also provided some troops, and there were varying levels of assistance from [[Japanese Iraq Reconstruction and Support Group|Japan]] and other allied countries. Tens of thousands of private security personnel provided protection of infrastructure, facilities and personnel.

Coalition and allied Iraqi forces fought a stronger-than-expected militant [[Iraqi insurgency (2003–2011)|Iraqi insurgency]], and so the [[reconstruction of Iraq]] was slow. In mid-2004, the direct rule of the CPA was ended and a new "sovereign and independent" Interim Government of Iraq assumed the full responsibility and authority of the state. The CPA and the Governing Council were disbanded on 28 June 2004, and a [[Law of Administration for the State of Iraq for the Transitional Period|new transitional constitution]] came into effect.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cpa-iraq.org/government/TAL.html|title=Law of Administration for the State of Iraq for the Transitional Period|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040309004022/http://www.cpa-iraq.org/government/TAL.html|archive-date=2004-03-09|date=8 March 2004}}</ref>

Sovereignty was transferred to a Governing Council [[Iraqi interim government]] led by [[Iyad Allawi]] as Iraq's first post-Saddam prime minister; this government was not allowed to make new laws without the approval of the CPA. The Iraqi Interim Government was replaced as a result of the elections which took place in January 2005. A period of negotiations by the elected [[Iraqi National Assembly]] followed, which culminated on 6 April 2005 with the selection of, among others, Prime Minister [[Ibrahim al-Jaafari]] and President [[Jalal Talabani]]. Prime Minister al-Jaafari led the majority party of the [[United Iraqi Alliance]] (UIA), a coalition of the al-Dawa and SCIRI (Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq) parties. Both parties are backed by Tehran, and were banned by Saddam Hussein.

=== Legal status of the coalition's presence ===
An international armed conflict (IAC) between the United States and Iraq in the Iraq War began when the US-led Coalition [[2003 invasion of Iraq|invaded Iraq]] on 19 March 2003. IAC continued after the invasion when the [[Coalition Provisional Authority]] (CPA) was established on 21 April to temporarily administer the domestic affairs of Iraq. Therefore, hostilities during the invasion and occupation of Iraq fell under the [[law of war|laws of war]] applicable to IAC, including the 1949 [[Geneva Conventions]], to which the US and Iraq are parties to, and the 1907 [[Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907|Hague Convention]] ''IV - The Laws and Customs of War on Land'', which is commonly accepted as [[customary international humanitarian law]] binding on non-signatories engaged in an IAC.<ref name="JFHGF">{{cite web|url=https://www.icrc.org/en/doc/assets/files/other/ihl_in_iraq_conflict.pdf#page=3|title=International Humanitarian Law in the Iraq Conflict|author=Knut Dörmann, Laurent Colassis|page=3-9|publisher=[[International Committee of the Red Cross]]}}</ref> According to Article 42 under Section III of the [[Hague Conventions (1899 and 1907)|Hague Convention]] ''IV - The Laws and Customs of War on Land'', "[[Territory (administrative division)|[t]erritory]] is considered occupied when it is actually placed under the authority of the hostile army."<ref>Laws of War: [http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/lawofwar/hague04.htm Laws and Customs of War on Land] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525082008/http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/lawofwar/hague04.htm |date=25 May 2015}} (Hague IV); 18 October 1907. The Avalon Project, Yale Law School</ref>

There may be situations where the former occupier will maintain a military presence in the country, with the agreement of the legitimate government under a security arrangement (e.g., US military presence in Japan and Germany). The legality of such agreement and the legitimacy of the national authorities signing it are subject to international recognition, whereby members of the international community re-establish diplomatic and political relations with the national government.

[[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1546]] in 2004 looked forward to the end of the occupation and the assumption of full responsibility and authority by a fully [[Sovereignty|sovereign]] and independent [[Politics of Iraq|Interim Government of Iraq]].<ref>[http://www.usembassy.it/file2004_06/alia/a4060913.htm Iraq Resolution Endorses Plan for Transition, Elections] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130919134806/http://www.usembassy.it/file2004_06/alia/a4060913.htm|date=19 September 2013}}. UN Security Council Resolution 1546, 8 June</ref> Afterwards, the UN and individual nations established diplomatic relations with the Interim Government, which began planning for elections and the writing of a new constitution. As a result, the Iraq War after 28 June 2004 became a non-international armed conflict (NIAC), since US-led Coalition troops were operating in the country with the consent of the new legitimate government of Iraq. Therefore, hostilities in post-occupation Iraq fell under the laws of war applicable to NIAC, including [[Geneva_Conventions#Common_Article_3_relating_to_non-international_armed_conflict_(NIAC)|Common Article 3]] of the 1949 Geneva Conventions.

In January 2005, [[John Negroponte]], US ambassador to Iraq, indicated the US government would comply with a [[United Nations]] resolution declaring that coalition forces would have to leave if requested by the Iraqi government. "If that's the wish of the government of Iraq, we will comply with those wishes. But no, we haven't been approached on this issue – although obviously we stand prepared to engage the future government on any issue concerning our presence here."<ref>MacAskill, Ewen, Richard Norton-Taylor, and Rory McCarthy, "[https://www.theguardian.com/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1396221,00.html US and UK look for early way out of Iraq]". ''[[The Guardian]]'', 22 January 2005</ref>

On 10 May 2007, 144 Iraqi Parliamentary lawmakers signed onto a legislative petition calling on the United States to set a timetable for withdrawal.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,271210,00.html Iraq Bill Demands US Troop Withdraw] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514040204/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C271210%2C00.html|date=14 May 2013}} Associated Press, [[Fox News]], 10 May 2007</ref> On 3 June 2007, the Iraqi Parliament voted 85 to 59 to require the Iraqi government to consult with Parliament before requesting additional extensions of the UN Security Council Mandate for Coalition operations in Iraq.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1180960615762&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull|title=Iraqi parliament wants say in extension of US-led forces|agency=Associated Press|work=[[The Jerusalem Post]]|date=5 June 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429195224/http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1180960615762&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull|archive-date=29 April 2011}}</ref> The UN mandate under [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1790]] expired on 31 December 2008.

==Occupation (21 April 2003 – 28 June 2004)==
An international armed conflict (IAC) between the US and Iraq in the Iraq War began when the US-led Coalition invaded Iraq on 19 March 2003. IAC continued after the invasion when the CPA was established on 21 April to temporarily administer the domestic affairs of Iraq. Therefore, hostilities during the invasion and occupation of Iraq fell under the laws of war applicable to IAC, including the 1949 Geneva Conventions, to which the US and Iraq are parties to, and the 1907 Hague Convention ''IV - The Laws and Customs of War on Land'', which is commonly accepted as customary international humanitarian law binding on non-signatories engaged in an IAC.<ref name="JFHGF"/>

===2003===
{{Main|2003 in Iraq}}

====Fall of Saddam Hussein's government====
[[File:SaddamStatue.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Firdos Square statue destruction|Statue of Saddam Hussein being toppled]] in [[Baghdad]]'s [[Firdos Square]] on 9 April 2003.]]

Schools, police, courts, government, and military were shut down, which meant that most Iraqis were unemployed.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Davidson|first1=Adam|title=Michael Cohen and the End Stage of the Trump Presidency|url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/michael-cohen-and-the-end-stage-of-the-trump-presidency|access-date=19 April 2018|magazine=The New Yorker|date=14 April 2018|archive-date=18 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418202133/https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/michael-cohen-and-the-end-stage-of-the-trump-presidency|url-status=live}}</ref> Cities, especially Baghdad, suffered through reductions in electricity, clean water, and telephone service from pre-war levels, with shortages that continued through at least the next year.<ref>Baker, David R., "[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/04/17/BUGAI66IF61.DTL Bechtel nowhere near done] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618081040/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2004%2F04%2F17%2FBUGAI66IF61.DTL |date=18 June 2009 }}; Reconstruction in Iraq going slowly – airports patched up, but water, power way behind". ''San Francisco Chronicle'', 17 April 2004.</ref>

On 1 May 2003, [[President of the United States]] [[George W. Bush]] declared the "end of major combat operations" in Iraq, while aboard the {{USS|Abraham Lincoln|CVN-72|6}} with a large "[[2003 Mission Accomplished Speech|Mission Accomplished]]" banner displayed behind him. The weeks following the removal of Ba'ath Party rule were portrayed by American media as generally a euphoric time among the Iraqi populace. ''[[New York Post]]'' correspondent [[Jonathan Foreman (journalist)|Jonathan Foreman]] wrote from [[Baghdad]] in May 2003 that "the intensity of the population's pro-American enthusiasm is astonishing".<ref>Foreman, Jonathan, "[http://weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/002/629xnqei.asp Bad Reporting in Baghdad] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017115225/http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/002/629xnqei.asp |date=17 October 2015}}". News Corporation, ''Weekly Standard'', 12 May 2003, Volume 008, Issue 34. (Originally in 12 May 2002 issue: You have no idea how well things are going.)</ref>

There were widespread reports of looting, though much of the looting was directed at former government buildings and other remnants of the former government, and reports of [[Archaeological looting in Iraq|losses of up to 170,000 items of Iraq's archaeological treasures]] worth billions of [[US dollars]], mostly from the [[National Museum of Iraq]],<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2942449.stm Looters ransack Baghdad museum] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050922145903/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2942449.stm |date=22 September 2005 }} – Thousands of valuable historical items from Baghdad's main museum have been taken or destroyed by looters." BBC, 12 April 2003.</ref> were later revealed to be vastly exaggerated.<ref>Meier, Barry, "''Aftereffects: Relics; [https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F40B11F73B580C758CDDAC0894DB404482 Most Iraqi Treasures Are Said to Be Kept Safe]''". [[The New York Times]], Late Edition – Final, Section A, Page 20, Column 1, 6 May 2003.</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Bogdanos, Matthew, (Marine Col.) |url=http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/2003/tr20030910-0660.html |title=Briefing on the Investigation of Antiquity Loss from the Baghdad Museum|publisher=United States Department of Defense |date=10 September 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040210131513/http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/2003/tr20030910-0660.html |archive-date=2004-02-10}}</ref>

====Beginning of the Iraqi insurgency====
{{main|Iraqi insurgency (2003–2011)}}
[[File:UNOfficeofHumanitarianCoordinator-Baghdad (UN DF-SD-04-02188).jpg|thumb|left|Canal Hotel Bombing]]
In the summer of 2003, the US military focused on hunting down the remaining leaders of the ousted government, culminating in the killing of Saddam's sons [[Uday Hussein]] and [[Qusay Hussein]] on 22 July.<ref>MacFarquhar, Neil (2003), Hussein's 2 Sons Dead in Shootout, US Says, ''The New York Times'', 23 July 2003, p. A1: "United States troops surrounded the house today and killed the two men in a ferocious shootout...."</ref> In all, over 200 top leaders of the former regime were killed or captured, as well as numerous lesser functionaries and military personnel.

After the initial invasion, most of the Iraqi military's former soldiers and officers offered little resistance to [[Multi-National Force – Iraq|Coalition forces]] in the early days of the occupation. Many soldiers had simply gone home rather than openly fight the invading forces. This seeming acceptance of Coalition authority stemmed from the US military continuing to pay the salaries of Saddam's former soldiers, while promising senior Iraqi officers that they would have a major role to play "in building a new Iraq."

However, on 11 May 2003, the Bush Administration established the "[[Coalition Provisional Authority]]" (CPA) to take control of Iraq's domestic affairs away from the US military. Twelve days later, [[Paul Bremer]], head of the CPA, issued an order dissolving the entire Iraqi military, as well as most civilian employees of the old government, and pledged to build a new military and government from scratch. One "untainted by any ties to Saddam's regime," according to the CPA. The Iraqi army's abrupt end, against the protests of many US field commanders, sparked immediate rioting among former Iraqi soldiers. In addition to broader civil unrest as unemployment skyrocketed to 70% and practically every government service, from the police to trash collectors, ended without warning.<ref name="Thompson">{{Cite magazine|url=https://time.com/3900753/isis-iraq-syria-army-united-states-military/|title=How Disbanding the Iraqi Army Fueled ISIS|last=Thompson|first=Mark|magazine=Time|access-date=2017-10-08}}</ref> Soon, large numbers of former Iraqi military personnel allied with the surviving [[Ba'ath Party|Ba'ath]] loyalists and formed guerrilla units, igniting an eight-year insurgency against Coalition forces. Besides scattered attacks in Baghdad, these insurgents began to focus on taking and holding ground in and around [[Mosul]], [[Tikrit]], and [[Fallujah]]. In the fall of 2003, these largely secular units were joined by religiously motivated "[[Jihadist]]s" insurgents, both foreign and domestic. With the growing influence of religious fanatics, the insurgency's mostly traditional tactics of sniping, small unit ambushes and planting roadside [[improvised explosive device]]s against foreign military personnel began transforming into frequent suicide bombings and death squads targeting civilians that were perceived as "loyal" to coalition forces.<ref name="Thompson"/>

They favored attacking the unarmored [[Humvee]] vehicles, and in November they successfully attacked US rotary aircraft with [[SA-7]] missiles bought on the global black market. On 19 August, the UN Headquarters in Baghdad was destroyed in the [[Canal Hotel Bombing]], killing at least 22 people, among them [[Sérgio Vieira de Mello]], Special Representative of the [[UN Secretary General]].

====Saddam captured and elections urged====
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In December 2003, Saddam himself was [[Operation Red Dawn|captured]]. The provisional government began training a security force intended to defend critical infrastructure, and the US promised over $20 billion in reconstruction aid in the form of credits against Iraq's future oil revenues. At the same time, elements left out of the Iraqi Patriotic Alliance (IPA) began to agitate for elections. Most prominent among these was [[Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani|Ali al-Sistani]], [[Grand Ayatollah]] in the [[Shia Islam|Shia sect of Islam]].

The United States and the [[Coalition Provisional Authority]], run by [[Jay Garner]] and three deputies, including [[Tim Cross]], opposed allowing democratic elections at this time, preferring instead to eventually hand over power to an unelected group of Iraqis.<ref>Steele, Jonathan, "''[http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0119-08.htm Why the US is Running Scared from Elections in Iraq] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116062212/http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0119-08.htm |date=16 January 2013 }}''". [[The Guardian]], 19 January 2004.</ref> More insurgents stepped up their activities. The two most turbulent centers were the area around Fallujah and the poor Shia sections of cities from Baghdad to Basra in the south.

===1 January 2004 – 28 June 2004===
{{Main|2004 in Iraq}}
[[File:CougarEODaftermath.JPG|thumb|Cougar hit by mine explosion, all crew survived, vehicle drove back to base on 3 wheels]]
[[File:Cougar Hit By IED.jpg|thumb|Cougar hit by 300–500 lb IED attack, all crew survived]]

====Spring fighting====
{{Main|Iraq spring fighting of 2004}}
In the spring, the United States and the [[Coalition Provisional Authority]] decided to confront the rebels with a pair of assaults: one on Fallujah, the center of the "Mohammed's Army of Al-Ansar", and another on Najaf, home of an important mosque, which had become the focal point for the [[Mahdi Army]] and its activities. In Fallujah four private security contractors, working for [[Blackwater USA]], were ambushed and killed, and their corpses desecrated. In retaliation a US offensive was begun, but it was soon halted because of the protests by the Iraqi Governing Council and negative media coverage.

A truce was negotiated that put a former Ba'athist general in complete charge of Fallujah. The 1st Armored Division along with the 2nd ACR were then shifted south, because Spanish, Salvadoran, Ukrainian, and Polish forces were having increasing difficulties retaining control over [[Al Kut]], and [[Najaf]]. The 1st Armored Division and 2nd ACR relieved the Spaniards, Salvadoran, Poles, and put down the overt rebellion.

At the same time, British forces in Basra were faced with increasing restiveness, and became more selective in the areas they patrolled. In all, April, May and early June represented the bloodiest months of fighting since the end of hostilities. The Iraqi troops who were left in charge of Fallujah after the truce began to disperse and the city fell back under insurgent control.

In the April battle for Fallujah, US troops killed about 200 resistance fighters, while 40 Americans died and hundreds were wounded in a fierce battle. US forces then turned their attention to the al-Mahdi Army in Najaf. A large convoy of US Army supply trucks manned by civilian contractors [[2004 Iraq KBR convoy ambush|was ambushed]] and suffered significant damage and casualties.

====Transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqis====
On 28 June 2004, under the auspices of [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1546]], the CPA transferred limited sovereignty to a caretaker government, whose first act was to begin the [[trial of Saddam Hussein]]. The transfer marked the end of an IAC between the U.S. and Iraq. The new Iraqi government began the process of moving towards elections, though the insurgency, and the lack of cohesion within the government itself, led to repeated delays.

Militia leader [[Muqtada al-Sadr]] used his grass-roots organization and Mahdi Militia of over a thousand armed men to take control of the streets of Baghdad. The CPA soon realized it had lost control and closed down his popular newspaper. This resulted in mass anti-American demonstrations. The CPA then attempted to arrest al-Sadr on murder charges. He defied the American military by taking refuge in the Holy City of Najaf.

== Post-occupation (28 June 2004 – 15 December 2011) ==
{{main|Iraqi insurgency (2003–2011)|2004 in Iraq}}
Hostilities between the US and Iraq ended on 28 June 2004 when the CPA handed over Iraqi sovereignty to the Iraqi Interim government as mandated by UN Resolution 1546. Throughout the Iraq War, US-led Coalition troops were operating in the country with the consent of the new legitimate government of Iraq. Therefore, the war in Iraq after 28 June 2004 became a non-international armed conflict (NIAC), which fell under the laws of war applicable to NIAC, including Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions.

=== 28 June 2004 – 31 December 2004 ===
Through July and August, a series of skirmishes in and around Najaf culminated with the Imman Ali Mosque itself under siege, only to have a peace deal brokered by al-Sistani in late August.<ref>Dominick, Brian, "''[http://newstandardnews.net/content/?action=show_item&itemid=858 US Forces Bombard Holy Site After Al-Sadr Offers to Leave] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051025115709/http://newstandardnews.net/content/?action=show_item&itemid=858|date=25 October 2005}}''". [[The NewStandard]], 20 August 2004.</ref> Al-Sadr then declared a national cease-fire, and opened negotiations with the American and government forces. His militia was incorporated into the Iraqi security forces and al-Sadr is now a special envoy. This incident was the turning point in the failed American efforts to install [[Ahmed Chalabi]] as leader of the interim government. The CPA then put [[Iyad Allawi]] in power; ultimately he was only marginally more popular than Chalabi.

The Allawi government, with significant numbers of holdovers from the [[Coalition Provisional Authority]], began to engage in attempts to secure control of the oil infrastructure, the source of Iraq's foreign currency, and control of the major cities of Iraq. The continuing insurgencies, poor state of the Iraqi Army, disorganized condition of [[Iraqi Police|police]] and security forces, as well as the lack of revenue hampered their efforts to assert control. In addition, both former Ba'athist elements and militant Shia groups engaged in sabotage, terrorism, open rebellion, and establishing their own security zones in all or part of a dozen cities. The Allawi government vowed to crush resistance, using US troops, but at the same time negotiated with Muqtada al-Sadr.

====Offensives and counteroffensives====
[[File:4-14 Marines in Fallujah.jpg|thumb|Marines from Mike Battery, [[4th Battalion 14th Marines|4th Battalion, 14th Marines]] an activated reserve artillery unit, operate the 155 mm [[M198 howitzer]] in November 2004 supporting Operation Phantom Fury.]]

Beginning 8 November, American and Iraqi forces invaded the militant stronghold of Fallujah in [[Operation Phantom Fury]], killing and capturing many insurgents. Many rebels were thought to have fled the city before the invasion. US-backed figures put insurgency losses at over 2,000. It was the bloodiest single battle for the US in the war, with 92 Americans dead and several hundred wounded. A video showing the killing of at least one unarmed and wounded man by an American serviceman surfaced, throwing renewed doubt and outrage at the efficiency of the US occupation.<ref>Miklaszewski, Jim, "''[https://web.archive.org/web/20121024231044/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7738733/Marine cleared in mosque shootings probe; Military concludes3 unarmed insurgents were slain in self-defense]''". NBC News, 4 May 2005.</ref> The Marine was later cleared of any wrongdoing because the Marines had been warned that the enemy would sometimes feign death and booby-trap bodies as a tactic to lure Marines to their deaths. November was the deadliest month of the occupation for coalition troops, surpassing April.

Another offensive was launched by insurgents during the month of November in [[Mosul]]. US forces backed by peshmerga fighters launched a counteroffensive which resulted in the [[Battle of Mosul (2004)]]. The fighting in Mosul occurred concurrently with the fighting in Fallujah and attributed to the high number of American casualties taken that month.

In December, 14 American soldiers were killed and over a hundred injured when an explosion struck an open-tent mess hall in Mosul, where President Bush had spent Thanksgiving with troops the year before. The explosion is believed to have come from a suicide bomber.

After a review of the military strategy at the end of 2004, then commanding general of the [[MNF-I]], General [[George W. Casey Jr.|George Casey]] directed the Coalition forces to shift their focus from fighting insurgents to training Iraqis.<ref>{{cite web |author=Carter Malkasian |url=http://www.democracyjournal.org/article.php?ID=6534 |title=A Thin Blue Line in the Sand, article by Carter Malkasian. DemocracyJournal, issue No. 5, Summer 2007 |publisher=Democracyjournal.org |access-date=17 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101027192233/http://democracyjournal.org/article.php?ID=6534 |archive-date=27 October 2010}}</ref> At the time, the Iraqi insurgency was mainly directed against the occupation and it was believed that if the Coalition would reduce its presence then the insurgency would diminish. Military planners hoped that national elections would change the perception of being under occupation, stabilize the situation and allow the Coalition to reduce its presence.

=== 2005 ===
{{Main|2005 in Iraq}}

====Iraqi elections and aftermath====
[[File:Iraqi voters inked fingers.jpg|right|thumb|Voters in the [[January 2005 Iraqi legislative election|2005 Iraqi legislative election]]]]
{{Main|January 2005 Iraqi legislative election}}
On 30 January, an [[January 2005 Iraqi legislative election|election]] for a government to draft a permanent constitution took place. Although some violence and lack of widespread [[Sunni]] Arab participation marred the event, most of the eligible [[Kurd]] and [[Shia]] populace participated. On 4 February, [[Paul Wolfowitz]] announced that 15,000 US troops whose tours of duty had been extended in order to provide election security would be pulled out of Iraq by the next month.<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4235787.stm US to pull out 15,000 from Iraq] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203172755/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4235787.stm |date=3 December 2017 }}; The US is to withdraw about 15,000 troops from Iraq from next month, the deputy defence secretary has announced". BBC News, 4 February 2005.</ref> February, March and April proved to be relatively peaceful months compared to the carnage of November and January, with insurgent attacks averaging 30 a day from the average 70.

Hopes for a quick end to an insurgency and a withdrawal of US troops were dashed at the advent of May, Iraq's bloodiest month since the invasion of US forces in March and April 2003. Suicide bombers, believed to be mainly disheartened Iraqi Sunni Arabs, Syrians and Saudis, tore through Iraq. Their targets were often Shia gatherings or civilian concentrations mainly of Shias. As a result, over 700 Iraqi civilians died in that month, as well as 79 US soldiers.
[[File:Op matador explosion.jpg|thumb|left| A large weapons cache in New Ubaydi is destroyed]]

During early and mid-May, the US also launched [[Operation Matador (Iraq)|Operation Matador]], an assault by around 1,000 Marines in the ungoverned region of western Iraq. Its goal was the closing of suspected insurgent supply routes of volunteers and material from [[Syria]], and with the fight they received their assumption proved correct. Fighters armed with [[flak jacket]]s (unseen in the insurgency by this time) and sporting sophisticated tactics met the Marines, eventually inflicting 30 US casualties by the operation's end, and suffering 125 casualties themselves.

The Marines succeeded, recapturing the whole region and even fighting insurgents all the way to the Syrian border, where they were forced to stop (Syrian residents living near the border heard the American bombs very clearly during the operation). The vast majority of these armed and trained insurgents quickly dispersed before the US could bring the full force of its firepower on them, as it did in Fallujah.

====Announcements and renewed fighting====
On 14 August 2005 the ''[[Washington Post]]'' quoted one anonymous US senior official expressing that "the United States no longer expects to see a model new democracy, a self-supporting oil industry or a society in which the majority of people are free from serious security or economic challenges... 'What we expected to achieve was never realistic given the timetable or what unfolded on the ground{{'"}}.<ref>Wright, Robin, and Ellen Knickmeyer, "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/13/AR2005081300853_pf.html US Lowers Sights On What Can Be Achieved in Iraq] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214102230/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/13/AR2005081300853_pf.html|date=14 December 2017}}; Administration Is Shedding 'Unreality' That Dominated Invasion, Official Says". ''The Washington Post'', 14 August 2005.</ref>

On 22 September 2005, [[Prince Saud al-Faisal]], the [[Saudi foreign minister]], said he had warned the Bush administration that [[Civil war in Iraq (2006-07)|Iraq was hurtling toward disintegration]], and that the election planned for December was unlikely to make any difference.<ref>{{Cite news|last=MacAskill|first=Ewen|date=2005-09-24|title=Country is hurtling towards disintegration, Saudis warn|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/sep/24/uk.iraq|access-date=2023-03-12|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> US officials immediately made statements rejecting this view.<ref>Pleming, Sue,{{cite web|url=http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N23652957.htm |title=US rejects Saudi view Iraq near disintegration |access-date=2005-09-24 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051122063913/http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N23652957.htm |archive-date=22 November 2005}}. Reuters, 23 September 2005.</ref>

====Constitutional ratification and elections====
{{Main|Iraqi constitution ratification vote, 2005|Iraqi legislative election, December 2005}}
[[File:Iraqreferendum.PNG|right|frame|Map of the Iraqi constitution ratification referendum]]
The National Assembly elected in January had drafted a new constitution to be ratified in a national referendum on 15 October 2005. For ratification, the constitution required a majority of national vote, and could be blocked by a two-thirds "no" vote in each of at least three of the 18 governorates. In the actual vote, 79% of the voters voted in favor, and there was a two-thirds "no" vote in only two governorates, both predominantly Sunni. The new [[Constitution of Iraq]] was ratified and took effect. Sunni turnout was substantially heavier than for the January elections, but insufficient to block ratification.

Elections for a new Iraqi National Assembly were held under the new constitution on 15 December 2005. This election used a proportional system, with approximately 25% of the seats required to be filled by women. After the election, a coalition government was formed under the leadership of Prime Minister [[Nouri al-Maliki]], with [[Jalal Talabani]] as president.

===2006===
{{Main|2006 in Iraq}}
The beginning of that year was marked by government creation talks and continuous anti-coalition and attacks on mainly Shia civilians.

====Al-Askari shrine bombing and Sunni-Shia fighting====
:See ''[[al-Askari Mosque bombing (2006)|Al Askari Mosque bombing]] and [[Iraqi civil war (2006–2008)]]''
[[File:Al Askari Mosque.jpg|thumb|Shrine of the 10th and 11th [[Twelver]] [[Imamah (Shi'a doctrine)|Shī'ah Imām]]s:<br />[[Ali al-Naqi|'Alī an-Naqī]] and [[Hasan al-Askari|Hasan al-'Askarī]]]]

On 22 February 2006. bombs exploded at the [[Al Askari Mosque]] causing substantial damage.

On 2 March the director of the Baghdad morgue fled Iraq explaining,
"7,000 people have been killed by death squads in recent months."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/Iraq/Story/0,,1721366,00.html/ |title=Baghdad official who exposed executions flees |work=The Guardian |location=London |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060418231056/http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0%2C%2C1721366%2C00.html |archive-date=18 April 2006}}</ref> The Boston Globe reported that around eight times the number of Iraqis killed by terrorist bombings during March 2006 were killed by sectarian death squads during the same period. A total of 1,313 were killed by sectarian militias while 173 were killed by suicide bombings.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.boston.com/news/world/articles/2006/04/02/iraq_militias_wave_of_death/ | title=Iraqi militia's wave of death | work=The Boston Globe | date=2 April 2006 | first1=Farah | last1=Stockman | first2=Bryan | last2=Bender | access-date=6 May 2006 | archive-date=20 April 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060420233230/http://www.boston.com/news/world/articles/2006/04/02/iraq_militias_wave_of_death/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The [[LA Times]] later reported that about 3,800 Iraqis were killed by sectarian violence in Baghdad alone during the first three months of 2006. <!-- Reference no longer available at http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-civilians7may07,0,1349034.story --> During April 2006, morgue numbers show that 1,091 Baghdad residents were killed by sectarian executions.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4756911.stm |title=Iraq head urges end to bloodshed |work=BBC News |date=10 May 2006 |access-date=6 January 2010 |archive-date=22 December 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061222183521/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4756911.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Insurgencies, frequent terrorist attacks and [[sectarian violence in Iraq]] lead to harsh criticism of US policy and fears of a failing state and civil war. The concerns were expressed by several US [[think tanks]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brookings.edu/fp/saban/analysis/20060215_iraqreport.htm/|title=A Switch in Time: A New Strategy for America in Iraq|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008224914/http://www.brookings.edu/fp/saban/analysis/20060215_iraqreport.htm|archive-date=8 October 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://carnegieendowment.org/posts/2005/11/back-from-the-brink-a-strategy-for-iraq?lang=en|title=Back From the Brink: A Strategy for Iraq|first1=Marina|last1=Ottaway|website=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?l=1&id=3980/|title=The Next Iraqi War? Sectarianism and Civil Conflict |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060228221854/http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?l=1&id=3980 |archive-date=2006-02-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boell.de/downloads/demokratiefoerderung/dobbins_americas_role.pdf/|title=America's role in nation-building – from Germany to Iraq |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060311013625/http://www.boell.de/downloads/demokratiefoerderung/dobbins_americas_role.pdf |archive-date=2006-03-11}}</ref> as well as the US ambassador to Iraq, [[Zalmay Khalilzad]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zaman.com/?bl=international&alt=&hn=30700/|title=Khalilzad Admits US Unlocked Pandora's Box in Iraq|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211141800/http://www.zaman.com/?bl=international&alt=&hn=30700%2F|archive-date=11 February 2012}}</ref>

In early 2006, a handful of high-ranking retired generals began to demand Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld's resignation due in part to the aforementioned chaos that apparently resulted from his management of the war.

===British hand Muthanna province to Iraqis===
[[File:Iraq Al Muthanna Governorate.svg|thumb|Al Muthanna Governorate [[Arabic language|Arabic]]: المثنى]]

On 12 July 2006, Iraq took full control of the [[Al Muthanna Governorate|Muthanna province]], marking the first time since the [[Invasion of Iraq|invasion]] that a province had been handed from foreign troops to the Iraqi government. In a joint statement, the US ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad and the US commander in Iraq, General [[George W. Casey Jr.|George Casey]], hailed it as a milestone in Iraq's capability to govern and protect itself as a "sovereign nation" and said handovers in other provinces will take place as conditions are achieved. "With this first transition of security responsibility, Muthanna demonstrates the progress Iraq is making toward self- governance", the statement said, adding that "Multi-National Forces will stand ready to provide assistance if needed." At the ceremony marking the event, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki stated, "It is a great national day that will be registered in the history of Iraq. This step forward will bring happiness to all Iraqis."<ref name=happines>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/5175478.stm |title=Iraq province power transferred |work=BBC News |date=13 July 2006}}</ref><ref name=muthanna>{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2006/07/13/last_chance_for_peace_in_iraq_pm_says/?rss_id=Boston.com+%2F+News|title=Iraq takes over province, clashes in Baghdad|author=Hamid Fadhil|agency=Reuters|date=13 July 2006|work=The Boston Globe}}{{dead link|date=October 2010}}</ref>

===Forward Operating Base Courage handed over to Nineveh province government===
[[File:Iraq Ninawa Governorate.svg|thumb|left|Nineveh Governorate]]
A former presidential compound of Saddam Hussein, dubbed Forward Operating Base Courage by [[Multinational force in Iraq|Coalition forces]], was handed over by Charlie Company 4-11FA to the [[Nineveh Governorate|Nineveh province government]] on 20 July 2006. The main palace had been home to the 101st Airborne Division Main Command Post, Task Force Olympia CP, 4-11FA of the 172nd SBCT, and the Task Force Freedom CP. The palace served as the last command post for the Multinational Force-Iraq–Northwest. US soldiers had spent the summer restoring the palace for the eventual handover.

[[Major general (United States)|Major General]] [[Thomas R. Turner II]], commanding general, Task Force Band of Brothers stated at a ceremony marking the occasion "The turnover of Forward Operating Base Courage is one of the larger efforts towards empowering the Iraqi people and represents an important step in achieving Iraqi self-reliance&nbsp;... The gains made during the past three years demonstrate that the provincial government, the [[Iraqi Army]] and the [[Iraqi Police]] are increasing their capabilities to take the lead for their nation's security." [[Duraid Kashmoula]], the governor of the [[Nineveh Governorate]], stated after being handed the key to the palace "Now this palace will be used to benefit the Iraqi government and its people."<ref>Gravelle, Dennis, "[http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1071&Itemid=41 Iraqi government takes over Mosul base] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060829212022/http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1071&Itemid=41 |date=29 August 2006 }}". MNF-Iraq.com, 21 July 2006.</ref><ref>Campbell, L.C., "[http://www.defendamerica.mil/articles/may2006/a052606ls1.html US Troops Restore Base to Hand Back to Iraqis] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105062506/http://www.defendamerica.mil/articles/may2006/a052606ls1.html |date=5 January 2014}}". defendamerica.mil, 26 May 2006.</ref>

===British troops leave Camp Abu Naji===
[[File:Iraq Maysan Governorate.svg|thumb|Maysan Governorate [[Arabic language|Arabic]]: ميسان]]
On 24 August 2006, Maj Charlie Burbridge, a British military spokesman, said the last of 1,200 British troops left [[Camp Abu Naji]], just outside [[Amarah]] in Iraq's southern [[Maysan Governorate|Maysan province]]. Burbridge told [[Reuters]] that British troops leaving the base were preparing to head deep into the marshlands along the Iranian border, stating "We are repositioning our forces to focus on border areas and deal with reports of smuggling of weapons and improvised explosive devices from across the border."

The base had been a target for frequent mortar and rocket barrages since being set up in 2003, but Burbridge dismissed suggestions the British had been forced out of Amara while acknowledging the attacks had been one reason for the decision to withdraw, the second being that a static base did not fit with the new operation. "Abu Naji was a bulls-eye in the middle of a dartboard. The attacks were a nuisance and were a contributing factor in our planning", to quit the base, he said, adding "By no longer presenting a static target, we reduce the ability of the militias to strike us&nbsp;... We understand the militias in Maysan province are using this as an example that we have been pushed out of Abu Naji, but that is not true. It was very rare for us to take casualties." Burbridge stated that Iraqi security forces would now be responsible for day-to-day security in Maysan but stressed that the British had not yet handed over complete control to them.

[[Muqtada al-Sadr]] called the departure the first expulsion of US-led coalition forces from an Iraqi urban center. A message from al-Sadr's office that played on car-mounted speakers throughout Amarah exclaimed "This is the first Iraqi city that has kicked out the occupier&nbsp;... We have to celebrate this occasion!" A crowd of as many as 5,000 people, including hundreds armed with AK-47 assault rifles, ransacked [[Camp Abu Naji]] immediately after the last British soldier had departed despite the presence of a 450-member Iraqi army brigade meant to guard the base. The looting, which lasted from about 10&nbsp;am to early evening, turned violent at about noon when individuals in the mob shot at the base.

The Iraqi troops asked the province's governor for permission to return fire, a decision the British military highlighted as evidence of the security force's training. "It demonstrated that they understand the importance of civilian primacy, that the government – and not the military – is in charge", Burbridge said in a phone interview with ''The Washington Post''. Injuries were reported on both sides, but no one was killed. Burbridge attributed the looting to economic factors rather than malice, stating "The people of Amarah – many of whom are extremely poor – saw what they believed to be a bit of an Aladdin's cave inside." Some residents of Amarah, however, told the Post that antipathy toward the occupation was strong. "The looters stole everything – even the bricks&nbsp;... They almost leveled the whole base to the ground", said 20-year-old student at Maysan University Ahmed Mohammed Abdul Latief.<ref>Paley, Amit R., "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/24/AR2006082401917.html?nav=rss_nation/special British Leave Iraqi Base; Militia Supporters Jubilant] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216032038/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/24/AR2006082401917.html?nav=rss_nation%2Fspecial |date=16 December 2018 }}". ''The Washington Post'', 25 August 2006.</ref><ref>Colvin, Ross, "[http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyid=2006-08-24T124853Z_01_L24546480_RTRUKOC_0_UK-IRAQ-BRITAIN.xml&src=rss British troops adopt WWII tactics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070211164830/http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews |date=11 February 2007 }}". Reuters, 24 August 2006.</ref><ref>Paley, Amit R., "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/25/AR2006082501315.html?nav=rss_nation/special Looters Ransack Base After British Depart] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216032044/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/25/AR2006082501315.html?nav=rss_nation%2Fspecial |date=16 December 2018 }}". ''The Washington Post'', 26 August 2006.</ref>

===Situation in and around Baghdad===
[[File:3rd ID M1A1 Abrams TC and Gunner 2008.jpg|right|thumb|Soldiers conduct a [[improvised explosive device|counter improvised explosive device]] (CIED) mission in Baghdad, December 2007.]]
[[File:IED Baghdad from munitions.jpg|thumb|Munitions rigged for an IED discovered by Iraqi police in Baghdad in November 2005]]
[[File:M1A1 Abrams with Integrated Management System new Tank Urban Survivability Kit Dec. 2007.jpg|thumb|right|[[M1A1 Abrams]] with an ''Abrams Integrated Management System'' and the ''Tank Urban Survivability Kit'' conducting a patrol in Baghdad, 2007.]]

On 28 August 2006, one US general said violence in Baghdad had fallen by nearly a half since July, although he acknowledged a spike in bombings in the past 48 hours. "Insurgents and terrorists are hitting back in an attempt to offset the success of the Iraqi government and its security forces", Maj Gen William Caldwell told reporters. After meeting [[Ministry of Defence (Iraq)|Iraqi Defence Minister]] [[Qadir Obeidi|Abdul-Qader Mohammed Jassim al-Mifarji]], [[Secretary of State for Defence|British Secretary of State for Defence]] [[Des Browne]] said Iraq was moving forward, and that "each time I come, I see more progress".<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/5293278.stm Fierce battles in south Iraq city] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060905074251/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/5293278.stm |date=5 September 2006 }}". BBC- News, 28 August 2006.</ref>

The American military command acknowledged in the week of 16 October 2006 that it was considering an overhaul of its latest security plan for Baghdad, where three months of intensive American-led sweeps had failed to curb violence by [[Sunni Arab]]-led insurgents and [[Shi'a Islam|Shiite]] and Sunni militias.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/20/world/middleeast/21iraqcnd.html?ex=1318996800&en=a542d37a1dff56f9&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss Attack on Iraqi City Shows Militia’s Power] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091123133459/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/20/world/middleeast/21iraqcnd.html?ex=1318996800&en=a542d37a1dff56f9&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss |date=23 November 2009 }} – ''New York Times'', 20 October 2006.</ref>

Numerous car and roadside bombs rocked the capital 9 November 2006 morning: In the [[Karrada]] district, a car bomb killed six and wounded 28 others. Another car bomb killed seven and wounded another 27 in the northern Qahira neighborhood. In South Baghdad, a mortar then a suicide car bomber killed seven and wounded 27 others near the Mishin bazaar. Near the college of Fine Arts in north-central Baghdad, a car bomb targeting an Iraqi patrol killed three and wounded six others. Two policemen were injured when they tried to dismantle a car bomb in the [[Zayouna]] district. A car bomb on Palestine Street in northeastern Baghdad meant for an Iraqi patrol killed one soldier but also wounded four civilians. Yet another car bomb in southern Baghdad wounded three people. And another car bomb near a passport services building in a northern neighborhood killed 2 people and wounded 7 others.

A roadside bomb in central Baghdad killed two and wounded 26 others. A police patrol was blasted by a roadside bomb near a petrol station; four were killed in the explosion. Another four people were wounded in the New Baghdad neighborhood by yet another roadside bomb. A bomb hidden in a sack exploded in Tayern square killing three and wounding 19. Another bomb in the Doura neighborhood killed one and wounded three. Mortars fell in Kadmiyah killing one woman and injuring eight people, and in Bayaladat where four were wounded.

Also in the capital, a group of laborers were kidnapped in the morning of 9 November 2006; five bodies were recovered later in the Doura neighborhood, but at least one other body was found in Baghdad that day. Gunmen also killed a police colonel and his driver in the east of the city. And just outside town, police arrested two people in a raid and discovered one corpse.<ref name="antiwar1">{{Cite web|last=Griffis|first=Margaret|date=2006-11-09|title=Thursday: 104 Iraqis Killed, 203 Injured|url=https://original.antiwar.com/updates/2006/11/09/thursday-104-iraqis-killed-203-injured/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303190952/http://www.antiwar.com/updates/?articleid=9986%2F|archive-date=3 March 2016|access-date=2023-03-12|website=Antiwar.com Original|language=en-US}}</ref>

On 10 November, Iraqi police recovered 18 bullet-riddled bodies in various neighborhoods around the capital which the police were unable to identify. The following day, two bombs planted in an outdoor market in central Baghdad exploded around noon, killing six and wounded 32 people. A car bomb and a roadside bomb were detonated five minutes apart in the market, which is in an area close to Baghdad's main commercial center. The US military said it has put up a $50,000 reward for anyone who helps find an American soldier kidnapped in Baghdad. The 42-year-old Army Reserve specialist, [[Ahmed al-Taie]], was abducted on 23 October when he left the [[Green Zone]], the heavily fortified section where the United States maintains its headquarters, to visit his Iraqi wife and family.

A suicide bomber killed 40 Iraqis and wounded 70 on 12 November 2006 morning outside the national police headquarters' recruitment center in western Baghdad, an emergency police official said. They were among dozens of men waiting to join the police force in the Qadessiya district when a suicide bomber detonated an explosives belt. In central Baghdad, a car bomb and roadside bomb killed four Iraqi civilians and wounded 10 near the Interior Ministry complex. And in the Karrada district of central Baghdad, one Iraqi was killed and five were wounded when a car bomb exploded near an outdoor market 12 November 2006 morning. Gunmen shot dead an Iraqi officer with the new Iraqi intelligence system as he was walking towards his parked car in the southwestern Baghdad neighborhood of Bayaa. Two civilians were killed and four more were wounded when a roadside bomb hit a car in the eastern Baghdad neighborhood of Zayuna.<ref name=cnn121106>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/11/12/iraq.main/index.html|title=Suicide bomber attacks police recruitment center|publisher=CNN|date=12 November 2006|access-date=22 September 2012|archive-date=31 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120831120017/http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/11/12/iraq.main/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Violent incidents in other cities===
9 November 2006.<ref name="antiwar1"/>
* Suwayrah: Four bodies were recovered from the [[Tigris]] River. Three of them were in police uniforms.
* [[Amarah]]: A roadside bomb killed one and wounded three others in Amarah. Gunmen also shot dead a suspected former member of the [[Fedayeen Saddam|Fedayeen]] paramilitary.
* [[Muqdadiyah]]: Gunmen stormed a primary school and killed three: a guard, a policeman and a student.
* [[Tal Afar]]: A roadside bomb in Tal Afar killed four, including a policeman, and wounded eight other people. Two policemen were killed and four civilians were injured when a rocket landed in a residential neighborhood.
* [[Mosul]]: Six people were shot dead, including one policeman.
* [[Latifiya]]: Four bodies, bound and gagged, were discovered.
* [[Baqubah]]: Eight people were killed in different incidents.

11 November 2006.<ref name=autogenerated4>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/11/12/iraq.main/index.html|title=Suicide bomber attacks police recruitment center|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=12 November 2006|access-date=22 September 2012|archive-date=31 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120831120017/http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/11/12/iraq.main/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Latifiya]]: Gunmen killed a truck driver and kidnapped 11 Iraqis after stopping four vehicles at a fake checkpoint south of the capital. At the fake checkpoint in Latifiya, about {{convert|25|mi|km}} south of Baghdad, gunmen took the four vehicles—three minibuses and a truck—along with the kidnapped Iraqis. The Iraqis—11 men and three women—were driving from [[Al Diwaniyah|Diwaniya]] to Baghdad for shopping when they were stopped. The gunmen left the three women and kidnapped the 11 men, the official said.
* [[Baqubah]]: North of the capital near Baquba, a suicide car bomb explosion killed two people at the main gate of a police station in Zaghanya town.

===Al-Qaeda===
[[File:UNOfficeofHumanitarianCoordinator-Baghdad (UN DF-SD-04-02188).jpg|thumb|UN headquarters in Baghdad after the Zarqawi's men bombed it, [[Canal Hotel bombing]], 22 August 2003]]
[[File:Zarqawi safe house rubble, June 8 2006.jpg|thumb|Remains of Zarqawi's safe house, 8 June 2006]]
Although Saddam Hussein was accused of having links to Al-Qaeda members, only a few Al-Qaeda members were found hiding in Iraq before the invasion, and all were of lower standings.

On 3 September 2006, Iraq says it has arrested the country's second most senior figure in [[Al-Qaeda]], "severely wounding" an organization the US military says is spreading sectarian violence that could bring civil war. The National Security Adviser Mowaffak al-Rubaie summoned reporters to a hastily arranged news conference to announce that al Qaeda leader Hamid Juma Faris al-Suaidi had been seized some days ago. Hitherto little heard of, and also known as Abu Humam or Abu Rana, Suaidi was captured hiding in a building with a group of followers. "Al-Qaeda in Iraq is severely wounded", Rubaie said. He said Suaidi had been involved in ordering the bombing of the Shi'ite shrine in Samarra in February 2006 that unleashed the wave of tit-for-tat killings now threatening civil war. Iraqi officials blame Al-Qaeda for the attack. The group denies it. Rubaie did not give Suaidi's nationality. He said he had been tracked to the same area north of Baghdad where US forces killed Al-Qaeda's leader [[Abu Musab al-Zarqawi]] in June 2006. "He was hiding in a building used by families. He wanted to use children and women as human shields", Rubaie said. Little is publicly known about Suaidi. Rubaie called him the deputy of [[Abu Ayyub al-Masri]], a shadowy figure, probably [[Egypt]]ian, who took over the Sunni Islamist group from Zarqawi.<ref name=tvnz>{{cite news|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411416/825598|title=Iraq captures al Qaeda deputy|date=4 September 2006|agency=[[Reuters]]|work=[[Television New Zealand]]|access-date=4 November 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920092440/http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411416/825598|archive-date=20 September 2011}}</ref>

The US military says Al-Qaeda is a "prime instigator" of the violence between Iraq's [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]] minority and [[Shi'a Islam|Shi'ite]] majority but that US and Iraqi operations have "severely disrupted" it.<ref name=tvnz/> {{See also|Al-Qaeda in Iraq}}

A handover ceremony on 2 September 2006 was postponed at the last minute, first to 3 September 2006, then indefinitely, after a dispute emerged between the government and [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]] over the wording of a document outlining their armies' new working relationship. "There are some disputes", an Iraqi government source said. "We want thorough control and the freedom to make decisions independently." US spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Barry Johnson played down any arguments and expected a signing soon: "It is embarrassing but it was decided it was better not to sign the document." Practically, US troops remain the dominant force. Their tanks entered the southern, Shi'ite city of [[Diwaniya]] on 3 September 2006. The show of force came a week after Shi'ite militiamen killed 20 Iraqi troops in a battle that highlighted violent power struggles between rival Shi'ite factions in the oil-rich south.<ref name=tvnz/>

===Abu Ghraib===
On 2 September 2006, the [[Abu Ghraib prison]] was formally handed over to Iraq's government. The formal transfer was conducted between [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]] [[Jack Gardner (general)|Jack Gardner]], Commander of Task Force 134, and representatives of the [[Iraqi Ministry of Justice]] and the [[Iraqi Army]].<ref name=transfer>{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2006/09/03/inmates_transferred_out_of_abu_ghraib_as_coalition_hands_off_control/ |title=Inmates transferred out of Abu Ghraib as coalition hands off control|agency=Associated Press|date=3 September 2006|work=The Boston Globe|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070217084632/http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2006/09/03/inmates_transferred_out_of_abu_ghraib_as_coalition_hands_off_control/|archive-date=2007-02-17}}</ref>

===Iraqi government takes control of the 8th Iraqi Army Division===
[[File:Iraqi T-72 tanks.jpg|thumb|left|Units of the New Iraqi Army with T-72 tanks in 2006.]]
On 7 September 2006, [[Prime Minister of Iraq|Prime Minister]] [[Nouri al-Maliki]] signed a document taking control of Iraq's small naval and air forces and the [[8th Division (Iraq)|8th Iraqi Army Division]], based in the south. At a ceremony marking the occasion, Gen [[George W. Casey Jr.|George Casey]], the top US commander in Iraq stated "From today forward, the Iraqi military responsibilities will be increasingly conceived and led by Iraqis." Previously, the US-led [[Multi-National Force – Iraq]], commanded by Casey, gave orders to the Iraqi armed forces through a joint American-Iraqi headquarters and chain of command. After the handover, the chain of command flows directly from the prime minister in his role as Iraqi commander in chief, through his Defense Ministry to the [[Iraqi Ground Forces Command|Iraqi Joint Forces Command]]. From there, the orders go to Iraqi units on the ground. The other nine Iraqi division remained under US command, with authority gradually being transferred. US military officials said there was no specific timetable for the transition.<ref name=milhandover>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2006-09-07-iraq-military_x.htm?csp=34 |title=Iraq assumes command of military today |agency=Associated Press |date=7 September 2006 |work=USA Today}}</ref>

===Anbar province reported as politically "lost" to US and Iraqi government===
{{Main|Al Anbar campaign}}
[[File:Iraq Al Anbar Governorate.svg|thumb|right|Al Anbar province in Iraq.]]
[[File:L company 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines search house.jpg|thumb|left|Marines in Al Anbar Province, 2006]]

On 11 September 2006, it transpired that Colonel Peter Devlin, chief of intelligence for the Marine Corps in Iraq, had filed a secret report, described by those who have seen it as saying that the US and the Iraqi government have been defeated politically in [[Al Anbar Governorate|Anbar province]]. According to ''The Washington Post,'' an unnamed Defense Department source described Devlin as saying "there are no functioning Iraqi government institutions in Anbar, leaving a vacuum that has been filled by the insurgent group al-Qaeda in Iraq, which has become the province's most significant political force." The Post said that Devlin is a very experienced intelligence officer whose report was being taken seriously.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/10/AR2006091001204.html|date=11 September 2006|access-date=12 September 2006|title=Situation Called Dire in West Iraq; Anbar Is Lost Politically, Marine Analyst Says. (Page A01)|author=Thomas E. Ricks; page A01|archive-date=25 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025164438/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/10/AR2006091001204.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The next day, Major General Richard Zilmer, commander of the Marines in Iraq, stated: "We are winning this war... I have never heard any discussion about the war being lost before this weekend."<ref>{{cite news|agency=Reuters|author=Peter Graff|title=Marines deny losing Iraq's biggest province|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/12/AR2006091201188.html|date=12 September 2006|access-date=12 September 2006|newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

In the fall of 2006 several Iraqi tribes near Ramadi led by [[Sheikh]] [[Abdul Sattar Abu Risha]] revolted against various insurgent groups with Al Qaeda in Iraq. They formed the [[Anbar Awakening]] and helped turn the tide in favor of the US military.

Two more provinces were transferred to [[Provincial Iraqi Control]] in late 2006.

On 21 September 2006, Italian troops handed security control of the [[Dhi Qar]] province to Iraqi forces, making Dhi Qar the second of the country's 18 provinces to come under complete local control. A transfer ceremony was carried out in [[Nasiriyah]].<ref name=dhiqar>{{cite news|url=http://news.bostonherald.com/international/view.bg?articleid=158592 |title=Iraq takes over security responsibility for southern Dhi Qar province from Italian troops |agency=Associated Press |date=21 September 2006}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

On 20 December 2006, US forces handed over control of the southern province of [[Najaf Governorate|Najaf]] to [[Iraqi security forces]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/20/AR2006122000099.html|title=US Transfers Control of Najaf Province to Iraqi Security Forces|newspaper=The Washington Post|author1=Nancy Trejos|author2=Saad Sarhan|date=21 December 2006|access-date=29 August 2017|archive-date=1 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301111941/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/20/AR2006122000099.html|url-status=live }}</ref>

===2007===
{{Main|2007 in Iraq|Iraq War}}
[[File:Army mil-2007-05-11-085013.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Sheikh Abdul Sattar who helped spark the [[Anbar Awakening]] Movement]]

In January 2007 US President George W. Bush announced a [[Iraq War troop surge of 2007|"Surge"]] in the number of US troops deployed to the country.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ferguson|first=Barbara|title=Petraeus Says Iraq Troop Surge Working|work=Arab News|date=11 September 2007|url=http://www.arabnews.com/?page=4&section=0&article=101078&d=11&m=9&y=2007|access-date=26 December 2009}}</ref> Also in early 2007, US and Iraqi tribal forces secured Ramadi, as well as other cities such as [[Hīt|Hit]], [[Haditha]], [[Rutbah]], and [[Al-Qa'im (town)|Al Qaim]].

In May 2007, Iraq's Parliament called on the United States to set a timetable for withdrawal<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,271210,00.html Iraq Bill Demands US Troop Withdraw] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514040204/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C271210%2C00.html |date=14 May 2013 }} Associated Press, ''[[Fox News]]'', 10 May 2007</ref> and US coalition partners such as the UK and Denmark began withdrawing their forces from the country.<ref>BBC NEWS 21 February 2007, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6380933.stm ''Blair announces Iraq troops cut''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161205214657/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6380933.stm |date=5 December 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]]|date=21 February 2007|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/70F3CDDC-B326-45FC-9A2F-85F9E74FBF8C.htm |title=Blair announces Iraq troop pullout|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070223035147/http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/70F3CDDC-B326-45FC-9A2F-85F9E74FBF8C.htm|archive-date=2007-02-23}}</ref>
During the summer the US turned its attention to eastern Anbar and secured the cities of [[Fallujah]] and [[Al-Karmah]].

Celebrating victory, President [[George W. Bush]] flew to Anbar in August 2007 to congratulate Sheik Sattar and other leading tribal figures.

===2008===
{{Main|2008 in Iraq}}

====Iraqi forces begin process of arming with advanced US weapon systems====
[[File:Flickr - DVIDSHUB - Iraqi army battalion trains for urban operations (Image 2 of 3).jpg|thumb|Iraqi army battalion trains for urban operations ]]
Iraq became one of the top current purchasers of US military equipment with their army trading its [[AK-47]] assault rifles for the more accurate US [[M16 rifle|M16]] and [[M4 carbine|M4]] rifles, among other equipment.<ref>{{cite news|last=Michaels|first=Jim|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2008-05-21-iraqarms_N.htm|title=Iraqi forces load up on US arms|work=USA Today|date=22 May 2008|access-date=17 October 2010|archive-date=14 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314035113/http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2008-05-21-iraqarms_N.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Iraq sought 36 [[F-16]]'s, the most sophisticated weapons system Iraq has attempted to purchase. The Pentagon notified Congress that it had approved the sale of 24 American attack helicopters to Iraq, valued at as much as $2.4 billion. Including the helicopters, Iraq announced plans to purchase at least $10 billion in US tanks and armored vehicles, transport planes and other battlefield equipment and services. Over the summer, the Defense Department announced that the Iraqi government wanted to order more than 400 armored vehicles and other equipment worth up to $3 billion, and six C-130J transport planes, worth up to $1.5 billion.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cole |first=August |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122056503871901333.html |title=Iraq Seeks F-16 Fighters |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=5 September 2008 |access-date=17 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513020947/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122056503871901333.html.html |archive-date=13 May 2013}}</ref>

In 2008, Iraq accounted for more than $12.5 billion of the $34 billion US weapon sales to foreign countries (not including the potential F-16 fighter planes).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/JI24Ak02.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090724093252/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/JI24Ak02.html |url-status=unfit |archive-date=24 July 2009 |title=Business as usual for US arms sales |work=Asia Times |date=24 September 2008 |access-date=17 October 2010}}</ref>

=== 2009 ===
{{Main|2009 in Iraq}}
[[Vice President of the United States]] [[Joe Biden]] made his second visit to Baghdad in as many months in September 2009, and met with Prime Minister [[Nouri al-Maliki]] even as insurgents fired mortars and rockets at the [[Green Zone]] to protest his presence. Although said to be in "listening mode", Biden addressed issues of security, political reconciliation, and foreign investment in Iraq's oil-rich but weakened economy with various leaders in the capital and Iraq's [[Kurdistan Regional Government|Kurdish region]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/16/AR2009091602998.html?hpid=moreheadlines |title=Biden Pushes Iraqi Leaders on Vote Law, Oil-Bid Perks |author=Scott Wilson |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=17 September 2009 |access-date=17 September 2009 |archive-date=8 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108195437/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/16/AR2009091602998.html?hpid=moreheadlines |url-status=live }}</ref> "We will also move ahead on other aspects of our security agreement by removing all US combat brigades from Iraq by the end of August 2010 and all remaining US troops by the end of 2011," Biden said.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/09/in-baghdad-biden-affirms-us-commitment-to-troop-withdrawal-deadlines.html|title=In Baghdad, Biden Affirms US Commitment to Troop Withdrawal Deadlines|author=Karen Travers|publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|date=16 September 2009|access-date=17 September 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925044525/http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/09/in-baghdad-biden-affirms-us-commitment-to-troop-withdrawal-deadlines.html|archive-date=25 September 2009}}</ref>

=== 2010 ===

====Final departure of US combat troops====
[[File:Barack Obama & Nouri al-Maliki in Baghdad 4-7-09 2.JPG|thumb|right|Prime Minister [[Nouri al-Maliki]] shakes hands with US President [[Barack Obama]] in Baghdad]]
On 18 August 2010 the final US combat troops were reported to have crossed the border into [[Kuwait]], when a last convoy of the Army's 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team departed Iraq. A spokesman for the US State Department, P. J. Crowley, was quoted by news media as saying the departure was "a historic moment," but noted that the US presence in Iraq would continue. The pullout of combat forces was nearly two weeks ahead of the announced deadline of 31 August.

In a released statement, US President Obama said of the withdrawn soldiers, "I hope you'll join me in thanking them, and all of our troops and military families, for their service." He noted that the event was a "milestone in the Iraq war."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna38744453|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100820024624/http://msnbc.msn.com/id/38744453/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa|url-status=live|archive-date=20 August 2010|title=Last full US combat brigade leaves Iraq|website=[[NBC News]] |date=18 August 2010 |access-date=18 August 2010}}</ref>

The closure of [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]] was announced on 31 August. "It is time to turn the page," Obama said in a national address. The operations in Iraq were renamed "[[Iraq War|New Dawn]]".

==Participating nations==
{{details|Multi-National Force – Iraq}}

As of May 2011, the United States was the only country with military forces stationed in Iraq. Other nations also present but under the United Nations banner.<ref name="autogenerated2">"[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/iraq_orbat_coalition.htm Iraq Coalition Troops; Non-US Forces in Iraq] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017115225/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/iraq_orbat_coalition.htm |date=17 October 2015 }}". Global Security, 16 August 2005.</ref>

As of September 2006, there were an estimated 145,000 US troops in Iraq.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ww38.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=49&Itemid=129&subid1=20200916-0332-54fb-a3e7-67c8d3da4a3d|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217135259/http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=49&Itemid=129|url-status=dead|title=mnf-iraq.com|archive-date=17 December 2008|website=ww38.mnf-iraq.com}}</ref> There are also approximately 20,000 private security contractors of different nationalities under various employers.

==Casualties==
{{Main|Casualties of the Iraq War}}

==Iraqi councils and authorities==
On 11 October 2002, President Bush's senior adviser on the Middle East, [[Zalmay Khalilzad]], released US government plans to establish an American-led military administration in Iraq, as in post-war Germany and Japan, which could last for several years after the fall of Saddam.<ref>Borger, Julian, "[https://www.theguardian.com/Iraq/Story/0,2763,810609,00.html US plans military rule and occupation of Iraq]; Saddam would be replaced by General Tommy Franks". ''The Guardian'', 12 October 2002.</ref> In the run-up to the invasion, the US promised a speedy transition to a democratic government, as well as the creation of an Iraqi constitution, and the active role of Iraqis in the establishment of an interim authority and new government. US officials continue to emphasize that the invasion was not about long-term occupation, but about liberation.
[[File:Bremer signs Iraqi Sovereignty Transfer document, 2004 June 28.jpg|thumb|left|Bremer signs over limited sovereignty to Iraq's interim government, 28 June 2004]]

In November 2003, [[Paul Bremer]] announced the plan to hand over limited sovereignty to the Iraqi governing council by 30 June 2004. A draft constitution was written and approved by the [[Iraqi Governing Council]] in March 2004. The United States has stated its plans to enter into what it calls a security agreement with the new Iraqi government and maintain military authority until a new Iraqi army is established. The Bush administration remained committed to this date despite the unstable security situation. The interim Iraqi government was named in May 2004, at which point the [[Iraqi Governing Council]] was dissolved, though there was heavy overlap between the two governing bodies.

The US-led [[Coalition Provisional Authority]], for administrative purposes, divided Iraq into four security zones (see map): a North zone in the [[Mosul]] – [[Kirkuk]] region, a Central zone in the Baghdad – [[Tikrit]] region, a Southern Central zone in the [[Karbala]] region and a South zone in the [[Basra]] region. The northern and central zones were garrisoned by US troops, while the Southern Central zone was garrisoned by a [[Polish zone in Iraq|Multi-National Division]] under Polish command and the South zone was garrisoned by a [[Multi-National Division (South-East) (Iraq)|Multi-National Division]] under British command.<ref>[http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39560000/gif/_39560495_iraq_troops6_416map.gif Map of Iraq and Coalition forces] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040113012546/http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39560000/gif/_39560495_iraq_troops6_416map.gif |date=13 January 2004 }}. BBC News (GIF format).</ref>

In the early months of the occupation, looting and vandalism slowed the restoration of basic services such as water, electricity, and [[sanitation]]. By Spring 2004, these services were mostly restored to pre-war levels. Uneven power distribution remained a problem through 2004, with the Baghdad area continuing to have periodic blackouts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cidi.org/humanitarian/hsr/iraq/ixl49.html |title=IRAQ: Electricity almost back to pre-war levels |access-date=2005-12-01 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050430031530/http://www.cidi.org/humanitarian/hsr/iraq/ixl49.html |archive-date=30 April 2005}}. United Nations, 2 March 2004.</ref> On 28 July 2005, Iraq's Electricity Minister announced that Iraq's electricity supply had risen to above pre-war levels.<ref>"[http://www.iraqdirectory.com/files/articles/article623.htm Iraq electricity surpasses pre-war levels] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051122172939/http://www.iraqdirectory.com/files/articles/article623.htm |date=22 November 2005 }}". Iraq Directory, 28 July 2005.</ref>

Numerous allegations were made of [[Human rights in post-invasion Iraq|human rights violations by the occupying forces]] in post-invasion Iraq. One of the most significant of these was the [[Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse]] scandal, where 11 American soldiers from the [[372nd Military Police Company (United States)|372nd Military Police Company]] were convicted in 2005 for a series of [[United States war crimes|war crimes]] over the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners. The Bush administration denied that the abuses were indicative of US military policy in Iraq.<ref name="Brown 2005">{{cite journal|last1=Brown|first1=Michelle|title="Setting the Conditions" for Abu Ghraib: The Prison Nation Abroad|journal=American Quarterly|date=September 2005|volume=57|issue=3|pages=973–997|jstor=40068323|doi=10.1353/aq.2005.0039|s2cid=144661236}}</ref><ref name="Smeulers">{{cite journal|last1=Smeulers|first1=Alette|last2=van Niekirk|first2=Sander|title=Abu Ghraib and the War on Terror - A case against Donald Rumsfeld? |journal=Crime, Law and Social Change |date=2009 |volume=51 |issue=3–4 |pages=327–349 |doi=10.1007/s10611-008-9160-2 |s2cid=145710956 |url=https://research.vu.nl/ws/files/2403096/215948.pdf |quote=After the pictures were published the Bush administration was quick to condemn the abuse and accuse the low ranking soldiers who featured in the pictures. Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld described the abuse at Abu Ghraib as an isolated case and President Bush talked about: 'disgraceful conduct by a few American troops who dishonoured our country and disregarded our values.' The abuse, however, did not constitute isolated cases but represented further proof of a widespread pattern.}}</ref>

Former [[Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Iraq Region|Ba'ath Party]] members and military officers who have no criminal past or human rights abuses have been allowed to return to government positions.<ref>Wright, Robin, and Walter Pincus, "[https://web.archive.org/web/20120330181039/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A37921-2004Apr23.html US, UN Seek New Leaders For Iraq Chalabi and Others Coalition Relied on May Be Left Out]". ''The Washington Post'', 24 April 2004; Page A01.</ref>

=== Reconstruction ===
{{Main|Reconstruction of Iraq}}

For the reconstruction, contracts were awarded to private companies. Initially, companies from countries that had opposed the war were excluded from these contracts, but this decision was reversed due to protests.<ref>"[http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20031209.wpent1209/BNStory/National/ Canada barred from Iraq contracts] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040404112439/http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20031209.wpent1209/BNStory/National/ |date=4 April 2004}}". Associated Press, 9 December 2003.</ref> Political activists and commentators allege that [[The Pentagon]] favoured companies like [[Halliburton]], former employer of Vice President [[Dick Cheney]], because they had connections to high-ranking members of the Bush administration.<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20040312122859/http://msnbc.msn.com/id/4508115/ Halliburton won deal after auditor warns Pentagon saw 'systemic' problems with contracts]". ''Financial Times'', 11 March 2004.</ref><ref>"[https://money.cnn.com/2003/09/25/news/companies/cheney/index.htm Cheney may still have Halliburton ties] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126053712/https://money.cnn.com/2003/09/25/news/companies/cheney/index.htm |date=26 January 2021 }} Congressional report finds Vice President still has financial interest in his old company". CNN, 25 September 2003.</ref> This suspicion had already been a concern during the [[Protests against the 2003 Iraq war|global protests against the war on Iraq]]. An audit found that Halliburton subsidiary [[Kellogg, Brown and Root]] (KBR) may have overcharged the US government $61&nbsp;million, on contracts worth billions, for bringing oil products for the US army into Iraq via a [[Kuwait]]i subcontractor, Altanmia Commercial Marketing Co.<ref>Jehl, Douglas, "[https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/11/international/middleeast/11CND-PENT.html?ex=1083211200&en=a495a8aabe8e9000&ei=5070 Pentagon Finds Halliburton Overcharged on Iraq Contracts]". ''The New York Times'', 11 December 2003. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117055417/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/11/international/middleeast/11CND-PENT.html?ex=1083211200&en=a495a8aabe8e9000&ei=5070 |date=17 November 2015}}</ref>

Some also argue that foreign contractors are doing work which could be done by unemployed Iraqis, which might be a factor fueling resentment of the occupation.<ref>Kelley, Matt, "[http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2004/04/27/news/world/421458792344630787256e830003f3bd.txt Bid rigging, fraud and damage common in Iraq]". Associated Press, 27 April 2004.</ref><ref>"[http://www.mees.com/postedarticles/oped/a46n40d02.htm Evidence Of Waste Of US Taxpayers' Dollars In Iraq Contracts] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040406031743/http://www.mees.com/postedarticles/oped/a46n40d02.htm |date=6 April 2004}}". Middle East Economic Survey, VOL. XLVI No 40, 6 October 2003 (ed., text of a letter sent by Representative Henry A Waxman (D-Calif) to Joshua Bolten, Director, Office of Management and Budget on 26 September.)</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Hedges |first1=Michael |first2=David |last2=Ivanavich |url=http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/special/iraq/2136626 |title=Iraqis say contract bidding is rigged: US lawmaker calls for inquiry |work=Houston Chronicle |date=5 October 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040606105300/http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/special/iraq/2136626 |archive-date=2004-06-06}}</ref> Further resentment could be inflamed with the news that almost US$9 billion dollars of [[Iraqi oil]] revenue is missing from a fund set up to reconstruct Iraq.<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/file_on_4/4216853.stm Iraq reconstruction funds missing] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060112124458/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/file_on_4/4216853.stm |date=12 January 2006 }}; Almost $9bn (£4.7bn) of Iraqi oil revenue is missing from a fund set up to reconstruct the country". [[BBC News]], 30 January 2005.</ref>

On 14 August 2005, a ''[[Washington Post]]'' story<ref>[[Robin Wright (author)|Wright, Robin]], and Ellen Knickmeyer, "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/13/AR2005081300853_pf.html US Lowers Sights On What Can Be Achieved in Iraq] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214102230/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/13/AR2005081300853_pf.html |date=14 December 2017 }}; Administration Is Shedding 'Unreality' That Dominated Invasion, Official Says". ''[[The Washington Post]]'', 14 August 2005; A01.</ref> on the administration's effort to lower expectations, quoted Wayne White, former head of the State Department's Iraq intelligence team, as saying "The most thoroughly dashed expectation was the ability to build a robust self-sustaining economy. We're nowhere near that. State industries, electricity are all below what they were before we got there."

A report of the United States [[Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction]] found widespread "fraud, incompetence and confusion" in the American occupation's handling of billions of dollars of Iraqi government money and American funds given for reconstruction. Inspector-general [[Stuart Bowen, Jr.]] noted that only 49 of 136 planned water- and sanitation-related projects will be completed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/25/international/middleeast/25reconstruct.html?hp&ex=1138251600&en=0138ddaecd4566f6&ei=5094&partner=homepage|title=Audit Describes Misuse of Funds in Iraq Projects|last=Glanz|first=James|author-link=James Glanz|date=25 January 2006|work=The New York Times|access-date=2 July 2014|archive-date=23 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140923125041/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/25/international/middleeast/25reconstruct.html?hp&ex=1138251600&en=0138ddaecd4566f6&ei=5094&partner=homepage|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Reference unavailable at http://today.reuters.com/investing/financeArticle.aspx?type=bondsNews&storyID=URI:urn:newsml:reuters.com:20060127:MTFH70618_2006-01-27_00-21-24_N26152510:1 -->

In April 2007, the ''New York Times'' reported that US federal oversight inspectors found that "in a sampling of eight projects that the United States had declared successes, seven were no longer operating as designed because of plumbing and electrical failures, lack of proper maintenance, apparent looting, and expensive equipment that lay idle. The United States has sometimes admitted&nbsp;... that some of its reconstruction projects have been abandoned, delayed, or poorly constructed. But this is the first time inspectors have found that projects officially declared as successes—in some cases, as little as six months before the latest inspections—were no longer working properly."<ref>Glanz, James (2007), "Inspectors Find Rebuilt Projects Crumbing in Iraq; Quick Deterioration Seen; Iraqis Share the Blame at Sites Where the US Declared Success." ''The New York Times,'' 29 April 2007, p. 1</ref>

In 2012, Iraq bought electricity from the [[United Arab Emirates]], as Iraqis continued to endure electricity cuts of up to twenty hours a day during peak periods of demand,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/04/15/207915.html |title=Iraq buys 250 MW/day from UAE to boost power supply |date=15 April 2012 |agency=Reuters |publisher=Al Arabiya News |access-date=14 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415223231/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/04/15/207915.html |archive-date=15 April 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> while the country's university system was one of the worst in the Middle East.<ref name ="HuGu 02Feb2012">{{cite web |url=http://www.thebulletin.org/web-edition/columnists/hugh-gusterson/education-occupation |title=An education in occupation |author=Hugh Gusterson |date=2 February 2012 |work=[[Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists]] |access-date=16 April 2012 |quote=In just 20 years, then, the Iraqi university system went from being among the best in the Middle East to one of the worst. This extraordinary act of institutional destruction was largely accomplished by American leaders who told us that the US invasion of Iraq would bring modernity, development, and women's rights.}}</ref> June saw Prince Abdul Ilah Al Qasim comment that Iraqi oil production was at its highest in twenty years. Abdul Ilah by telephone from Baghdad said that the "oil production has exceeded 3.07 million barrels this month, compared with 2.92 million barrels for the month of May which was announced in the monthly report of OPEC".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://theiraqidinar.com/2012/06/30/iraqi-oil-production-at-its-highest-in-twenty-years/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701224216/http://theiraqidinar.com/2012/06/30/iraqi-oil-production-at-its-highest-in-twenty-years/ |archive-date=2012-07-01 |title=Iraqi oil production at its highest in twenty years}}</ref>

==Civilian government==
{{details|Politics of Iraq}}

The establishment of a new civilian government of Iraq was complicated by religious and political divisions between the majority [[Shi'ite]] population and the formerly ruling [[Sunni]] Arabs. Moreover, many of the people in Saddam's ruling [[Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Iraq Region|Ba'ath Party]] were perceived as tainted by the association by some parties. In northern Iraq, [[Kurd]]s had already had effectively autonomous rule for 12 years under the protection of the no-fly zone.

On 16 May 2003, US officials abandoned the plan to cede authority to a democratically chosen interim civilian Iraqi government (similar to what had happened in [[Afghanistan]] following the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|2001 US invasion]]) and presented a resolution to the UN to give the United States and the United Kingdom broad power and to lift economic sanctions on Iraq, allowing the occupying countries authority to use oil resources to pay for rebuilding the country. Passage of the resolution allowed them to appoint an interim government by themselves.

On 13 July 2003, an [[Iraqi Governing Council]] was appointed by Coalition Provisional Authority Administrator [[Paul Bremer]].
<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[File:Iraqcouncil.jpg|framed|The Iraq Interim Governing Council.|{{Deletable image-caption|1=Tuesday, 2 September 2008|date=January 2012}}]] -->

===United Nations resolutions===
[[File:Kofi Annan.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Kofi Annan]], 7th [[Secretary-General of the United Nations]]]]
On 22 May 2003, the [[UN Security Council]] voted 14–0 to give the United States and Britain the power to govern Iraq and use its oil resources to rebuild the country. [[UN Security Council Resolution 1483|Resolution 1483]] removed nearly 13 years of economic sanctions originally imposed after Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait. The resolution allows UN Secretary-General [[Kofi Annan]] to appoint a special representative to work with US and British administrators on reconstruction, humanitarian aid, and the creation of a new government.

The resolution also created the [[Development Fund for Iraq]], which collected funds from oil sales. The fund was initially run by the United States and Britain to rebuild the country, and is overseen by a new advisory body composed of the United Nations and international financial institutions. In June 2004, the ''[[New York Times]]'' reported that American authorities spent $2.5 billion from Iraqi oil revenue despite agreements that the oil revenues should be set aside for use after the restoration of Iraq's sovereignty.<ref>Weisman, Steven R., "[https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/21/politics/21DIPL.html?pagewanted=print&position= US Is Quietly Spending $2.5 Billion From Iraqi Oil Revenue to Pay for Iraqi Projects]". ''New York Times'' (Foreign Desk), 21 June 2004. (Late Edition – Final, Section A, Page 8, Column 1) {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023175518/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/21/politics/21DIPL.html?pagewanted=print&position= |date=23 October 2015}}</ref>

On 14 August 2003, the Security Council voted 14–0 to "welcome" the creation of the Iraqi Governing Council. [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1500|Resolution 1500]] stopped short of formally recognizing the governing council as Iraq's legitimate governing body but called it an "important step" towards creating a sovereign government.

===Elections===
[[File:Baghdad Convention Center inside.jpg|thumb|[[Council of Representatives of Iraq]] meeting center.]]
For several months the United States maintained that it intended to convene a constitutional convention, composed of influential Iraqis. However, European demands for an early election and [[Ayatollah]] [[Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani|Ali al-Sistani's]] insistence eventually forced the United States to let the appointed Governing Council serve this function.

In the early months of the occupation, new officials were appointed to several local and regional positions (e.g., mayors, governors, local councils). The officials were chosen from a select group of individuals (including ex-Ba'ath party officials) in an attempt to speed the return to normality and to avoid the election of people opposed to the Coalition presence. Certain religious clerics and other officials were considered to be overly radical or dangerous. On occasion, the appointed officials were found to behave less than admirably. On 30 June 2003, the appointed mayor of Najaf was arrested on charges of corruption.

By February 2004, democratic elections, under the supervision of the CPA, had already been held at the municipal and city level in some of the southern and northern provinces.<ref>Shadid, Anthony, "[https://web.archive.org/web/20180821123202/https://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A44553-2004Feb15/ In Iraqi Towns, Electoral Experiment Finds Some Success]". ''The Washington Post'', 16 February 2004.</ref>

On 15 November, the Iraqi Governing Council announced that a transitional government would take over in June from the US-led powers, and that an elected government would follow by the end of 2005 once a constitution had been drafted and ratified. The transitional government would be selected in June 2004 by a transitional council formed in May 2004.

The Governing Council revealed the timetable after the United States government, in reaction to terrorist and [[Insurgent|militant]] activity against occupying troops and aid organisations, abandoned its earlier plan that a sovereign government would take charge only after creating a constitution and elections held. [[Jalal Talabani]], who was chairman of the council, said the transition would involve "the creation of a permanent constitution by an elected council, directly elected by the people, and also the election of a new government according to the articles of this new constitution before the end of 2005."

In March 2004, an interim constitution was created, called the [[Law of Administration for the State of Iraq for the Transitional Period]]. The document called for the creation of an elected National Assembly to take place no later than January 2005. The question of the election calendar became a matter of importance for Iraq and the US: while a quick election would legitimise the Iraqi government and shed a favourable light on the US-led occupation of the country, the prospect of violence delayed it. It was finally set for 30 January 2005. Though then-President [[Ghazi Mashal Ajil al-Yawer|Ghazi al-Yawar]] asked the United Nations to reconsider the electoral schedule several weeks before the election, the [[January 2005 Iraqi legislative election|legislative election]] was held on time, creating the [[Iraqi National Assembly]].

The elected assembly drafted a new [[Constitution of Iraq|constitution for Iraq]], submitting it to the Iraqi people for review on 28 August. On 15 October, Iraqis [[Iraqi constitution ratification vote, 2005|voted to approve the new constitution]]. On 15 December, the first [[December 2005 Iraqi legislative election|legislative election]] under the new constitution was held.

===Sovereignty for Iraq===
[[File:Iraq-sovereign.jpg|thumb|US National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice gives confirmation of Iraqi sovereignty to US President George W. Bush, who then wrote, "Let Freedom Reign!", during the opening session of the NATO Summit in Istanbul, Turkey, on Monday, 28 June 2004.]]
{{details|topic=Politics of Iraq|Iraqi sovereignty}}

In a 1 June 2004, press conference, President Bush said that he was working with various world leaders to create a [[UN Security Council]] resolution endorsing the transition from the US-dominated occupation to complete autonomy for Iraq. Under this resolution, Coalition forces would remain in Iraq until the new government could establish security and stabilization: "There is a deep desire by the Iraqis&nbsp;– don't get me wrong – to run their own affairs and to be in a position where they can handle their own security measures." On 8 June, Security Council resolution 1546 was adopted unanimously, calling for "the end of the occupation and the assumption of full responsibility and authority by a fully sovereign and independent Interim Government of Iraq by 30 June 2004."

On 28 June 2004, the occupation was nominally ended by the CPA, which transferred limited power to a new Iraqi government led by Prime Minister Iyad Allawi. The [[multinational force (Iraq)|multinational]] [[military alliance]] continued to assist the Allawi government in governing the Iraqis. The purpose of the Occupation of Iraq was, according to [[US President]] [[George W. Bush]], purely to bring about a transition from post-war anarchy to full Iraqi sovereignty.

A further milestone in sovereignty was achieved with the creation of a democratically elected administration on 6 April 2005 including Prime Minister [[Ibrahim al-Jaafari]] and President [[Jalal Talabani]] following the [[January 2005 Iraqi legislative election|Iraqi elections]] of January 2005.

Under [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1790]], the mandate of the [[multinational force in Iraq]] was extended until 31 December 2008, after which there is no justification for foreign militaries to remain in the country. On 6 June 2008, the ''Independent'' reported that the United States was applying pressure to the government of Iraq to sign a "strategic alliance" (not a "treaty", which would require approval of the [[US senate]]), giving US forces broad freedom in continuing to operate in Iraq.<ref>Patrick Cockburn: "[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/us-issues-threat-to-iraqs-50bn-foreign-reserves-in-military-deal-841407.html?service=Print US issues threat to Iraq’s $50bn foreign reserves in military deal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423174606/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/us-issues-threat-to-iraqs-50bn-foreign-reserves-in-military-deal-841407.html?service=Print |date=23 April 2018 }}", ''[[The Independent]]'', 6 June 2008.</ref>

===Provincial Iraqi control===
The objective of the [[Iraqi Government]] and [[Multinational force in Iraq|Multi-National Forces in Iraq]] is to achieve the transition of responsibility for each of the 18 provinces in Iraq from the Coalition to the Iraqi civil authorities, both national and local. Most attention on the issue is understandably focused on progress towards security within the provinces, both in terms of the threat from insurgents and the capability of the [[Iraqi Security Forces]], but other factors, such as the competence and capacity of local governance is also important.{{Citation needed|date=March 2008}}

Provinces are subject to regular assessment by the Iraqi government and the Coalition; when a province appears to be ready, a recommendation is made to the Iraqi Ministerial Committee for National Security, with the [[Prime Minister of Iraq|Prime Minister]] making the final decision.

====Provinces under Iraqi Control====
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:PIC at end of Oct09.jpg|300px|right|thumb|Provincial Security Transition Assessment As of October 2009.]] -->
As of October 2008, thirteen provinces had successfully completed transition to provincial Iraqi control: [[Muthanna Governorate|Muthanna]], [[Dhi Qar Governorate|Dhi Qar]], [[Najaf Governorate|Najaf]], [[Maysan Governorate|Maysan]], [[Dohuk Governorate|Dahuk]], [[Erbil Governorate|Erbil]], [[As Sulaymaniyah Governorate|Sulaymaniyah]], [[Karbala Governorate|Karbala]], [[Basra Governorate|Basra]], [[Al-Qādisiyyah Governorate|Al-Qādisiyyah]], [[Al Anbar Governorate|Al Anbar]], [[Babil Governorate|Babil]] and [[Wasit Governorate|Wasit]].

Muthanna was the first, on 13 July 2006, when Australian, Japanese and British forces from [[Multinational Division Central-South|Multi-National Division-South East]] transferred responsibility to the Governor and local authorities. With a small and homogeneous Shia population, there had been very little militia violence and few attacks on Coalition forces in the preceding months, encouraging good progress in developing the capacity of the [[Iraqi armed forces]] and [[Ministry of Interior (Iraq)|Ministry of Interior]] forces there. Equally, the Governor of Muthanna enjoyed a good local mandate, having been re-elected in local elections in January 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/IraqisTakeControlInAlMuthanna.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206212404/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/IraqisTakeControlInAlMuthanna.htm|url-status=dead|title=Handover of Muthanna Province|archive-date=6 February 2012}}</ref>

Dhi Qar, also within the area of responsibility of the British-led MND-SE and the responsibility of the Italian and Romanian brigade, was handed over on 21 September 2006.
.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/DefencePolicyAndBusiness/DefenceSecretaryWelcomesHandoverOfDhiQarProvinceInIraq.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206212425/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/DefencePolicyAndBusiness/DefenceSecretaryWelcomesHandoverOfDhiQarProvinceInIraq.htm|url-status=dead|title=Defence Secretary welcomes handover of Dhi Qar Province in Iraq – UK Ministry of Defence &#124; Defence News|archive-date=6 February 2012}}</ref> Australian troops in MND-SE remained available to provide security support to the Iraqis in both Muthanna and Dhi Qar, should they request it.

Najaf, which had been garrisoned by first Polish, then US forces, was handed over on 20 December 2006.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/DefenceSecretaryWelcomesHandoverOfAnnajafProvince.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206212436/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/DefenceSecretaryWelcomesHandoverOfAnnajafProvince.htm|url-status=dead|title=Handover of Najaf province|archive-date=6 February 2012}}</ref>

In April 2007, [[Maysan Governorate]] became the fourth to transition to provincial Iraqi control.
<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/2007/iraq-security-stability_jun2007-01-4.htm|title=Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq - June 2007 - Section 1-Stability and Security|website=www.globalsecurity.org}}</ref>

On 30 May 2007, the three provinces making up the [[Kurdistan Regional Government]] transitioned to provincial Iraqi control, bringing the total count to 7.
<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2007/06/jun_2007_iraqi_secur.php|title=Iraqi Security Forces Order of Battle: June 2007 Update &#124; FDD's Long War Journal|date=6 June 2007|website=www.longwarjournal.org}}</ref>

In October 2007, Karbala became the eighth province to transfer to provincial Iraqi control. The transfer of Basra in December 2007 marked the half-way point in transferring all provincial security over to Iraqi security forces.<ref name="mnf-iraq.com">{{Cite web|url=http://ww38.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1469&Itemid=78&subid1=20200916-0332-5457-bf61-aa95d7982905|title=mnf-iraq.com|website=ww38.mnf-iraq.com|access-date=15 September 2020|archive-date=16 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416012129/http://ww38.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1469&Itemid=78&subid1=20200916-0332-5457-bf61-aa95d7982905|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In July 2008 the tenth province, [[Al-Qādisiyyah Governorate|Al-Qādisiyyah]], also transferred to Iraqi control.<ref name="mnf-iraq.com" />

[[File:Anbar ceremony 2008-09-01.JPG|thumb|right|Maj. Gen. John Kelly and Gov. Maamoon Sami Rasheed al-Alwani Governor of Al Anbar sign formal agreement turning security responsibilities of the Al Anbar province to the Government of Iraq. (1 September 2008)]]
On 1 September 2008, in the wake of the decreasing levels of violence, the US Army transferred control of the expansive [[Al-Anbar province]] over to Provincial Iraqi Control. A limited US presence will be maintained to ensure security. Al-Anbar is the 11th province to be transferred to Iraqi security.

In October 2008, Babil province became the twelfth province to return to Iraqi control,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7685713.stm |work=BBC News |title=US forces hand province to Iraqis |date=23 October 2008 |access-date=18 February 2014 |archive-date=22 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222143110/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7685713.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> whilst Wasit was transferred later in the month, making it the thirteenth province to be transferred.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7696785.stm |work=BBC News |title=US hands province to Iraqi forces |date=29 October 2008 |access-date=18 February 2014 |archive-date=9 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081109041553/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7696785.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Transition after Security Agreement signed====
As of 31 December 2008, 13 of Iraq's 18 provinces had successfully transitioned to Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.defense.gov/|title=US Department of Defense|website=US Department of Defense}}</ref> On 1 January 2009, the SA (see also [[US–Iraq Status of Forces Agreement]]) between the US and Iraq went
into effect, transferring security responsibility to the GoI, even though not all of the provinces had completed the PIC transition process. At the request of the GoI, however, a new Joint Sub-Committee for Provincial Security was formed under the auspices of the SA to assess conditions in the remaining five Iraqi provinces that did not transition to PIC before 1 January 2009. This sub-committee met for the first time in January 2009.

==Iraqi insurgency==
{{details|Iraqi insurgency (2003–2011)}}

After the 2003 invasion, an insurgency developed against Coalition forces during as part of the [[Iraq War]]. The [[Iraqi insurgency (2003–2006)|first phase of the insurgency]] began shortly after the invasion and lasted until the establishment of a provisional Iraqi government, and from around 2004 until May 2007 primarily targeted American-led Coalition forces. In the early months following the "end of major combat operations", insurgents conducted sniper attacks, suicide bombings at road checkpoints, and ambushes, resulting in about 112 Coalition fatalities per month.<ref>Abdullah, T.A.J., 2006, ''Dictatorship, Imperialism & Chaos: Iraq since 1989'', London, Zed Books</ref>

In February 2006, a [[Iraqi civil war (2006–2008)|sectarian civil war]] broke out in Iraq, leading to insurgents to direct many of their attacks against the [[Iraqi Police|police]] and [[Iraqi Ground Forces|armed forces]] of the [[Al Maliki I Government|Iraqi government]]. The attacks continued during the [[Investment in post-invasion Iraq|transitional reconstruction of Iraq]], as the Iraqi government attempted to establish its authority throughout the country.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2017-07-20|title=After Mosul, Islamic State digs in for guerrilla warfare|page=Intelligence and security officials are bracing for the kind of devastating insurgency al Qaeda waged following the 2003 US-led invasion, pushing Iraq into a sectarian civil war which peaked in 2006–2007|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-iraq-insurgency-idUSKBN1A50ML|access-date=2022-01-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=CNN.com - Sen. Reid: Iraq devolves into 'civil war' - Jul 20, 2006|url=https://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/07/20/iraq.democrats/|access-date=2022-01-01|website=www.cnn.com}}</ref>

Though the civil war (and the accompanying sectarian violence) ended in mid-2008, the insurgency continued after the [[Withdrawal of United States troops from Iraq (2007–2011)|withdrawal of US forces from Iraq]] in 2011, and in 2012 a renewed wave of sectarian and anti-government insurgency swept Iraq, causing thousands of casualties. Increasing violence led to [[War in Iraq (2013–2017)|another outbreak of war]] in Iraq in 2013, lasting until 2017.<ref name="end of war">{{cite news|last=Mostafa|first=Nehal|date=9 December 2017|title=Iraq announces end of war against IS, liberation of borders with Syria: Abadi|url=https://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/iraq-announces-end-war-liberation-borders-syria-abadi/|work=Iraqi News|access-date=9 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209235658/https://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/iraq-announces-end-war-liberation-borders-syria-abadi/|archive-date=9 December 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===Guerrilla war===
In late June 2003, there was some public debate in the US as to whether the insurgency could be characterized as a [[guerrilla warfare|guerrilla war]]. On 17 June, Army [[John Abizaid|Gen. John P. Abizaid]] said that forces in Iraq were "conducting what I would describe as a classical guerrilla-type campaign against us. It's low-intensity conflict in our doctrinal terms, but it's war however you describe it." In a statement to Congress on 18 June, Deputy Defense Secretary [[Paul Wolfowitz]] said "There's a guerrilla war there but we can win it."

===Sabotage===
{{further|Iraqi insurgency (2003–2011)}}
[[File:AlBasrahMESD823.png|thumb|The Iraqi [[Al Basrah Oil Terminal]], considered a terrorist target due to its importance]]

Sabotage of [[crude oil]] [[Pipeline transport|pipelines]] and refineries have been a key tactic of the Iraqi insurgency. The United States had intended to quickly rebuild Iraqi infrastructure for production back to pre-war levels, but widespread sabotage slowed down the pace of reconstruction. The administration has set an oil-production goal of {{convert|5000000|oilbbl/d}}, but the president's numbers show that production decreased slightly in 2005 over 2004 from {{convert|2.2|e6USgal|m3}} per day to {{convert|2.1|e6USgal|m3}} per day. The administration claims that oil production, however, is up from 2003, when oil was produced at {{convert|1580000|oilbbl/d}}.

Iraqi analysts have argued that the administration's measures are misleading because the war began in 2003, which pushed production numbers lower than they normally would have been.

"They are way off of their original projections" for where oil production would be now, said Rick Barton, an expert on Iraqi reconstruction at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. "It's basically gone nowhere in the entire time we've been there. Of course, they haven't been able to protect the pipelines. You just can't be rebuilding a country during an active war."{{Citation needed|date=February 2007}}<!-- Is this source for the graf? Could that be indicated somehow? --><ref>Simmons, Greg, "[https://www.foxnews.com/story/dems-doubt-iraq-progress Dems Doubt Iraq Progress] ". Fox News, 7 December 2005.</ref>

===Fallujah===
{{details|Fallujah}}

The Fallujah offensive [[Operation Vigilant Resolve]] was launched on 5 April 2004 in response to 31 March murder and mutilation of four of Blackwater's employees. Roads leading into and out of the city were closed. When the US Soldiers and Marines tried to enter, fierce fighting erupted. Members of the Iraqi insurgency opened fire with heavy machine guns, rockets, and rocket-propelled grenades. The Soldiers and Marines answered by bringing in tanks and helicopters.

The ensuing firefight resulted in a large number of casualties. Dozens of Marines were killed and injured. Two hundred and seventy-one members of the non-coalition forces were killed and 793 injured, according to official counts for the period of 5 April through 22 April. Conflicting reports leave it unclear how many of the dead and injured were rebel fighters or women and children.<ref>"Iraq: US Marines Fight Insurgents in Fallujah". ''The Las Vegas Sun'', 7 April 2004.</ref><ref>[http://smh.com.au/articles/2004/04/12/1081621869099.html 600 "Iraqis killed in Falluja in one week"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040607062136/http://smh.com.au/articles/2004/04/12/1081621869099.html |date=7 June 2004 }}. 12 April 2004 – 8:52&nbsp;am</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3619661.stm "Scale of Falluja violence emerges"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040509145918/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3619661.stm |date=9 May 2004 }}. BBC, 12 April 2004.</ref> There were also reports of ambulances and aid convoys being used by the insurgents to smuggle weapons and fighters into the city.<ref>Navarro, Lourdes,{{cite web|url=http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2004/04/12/rebels_smuggle_supplies_into_iraqi_city/|title=Rebels smuggle supplies into Iraqi city|access-date=2004-04-26|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040415105432/http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2004/04/12/rebels_smuggle_supplies_into_iraqi_city/|archive-date=15 April 2004}}. Associated Press, 12 April 2004.</ref> Coalition officials said that the insurgents used mosques and schools as command posts and weapon-storage facilities. A suicide-bomb-vest factory was discovered by Marines.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/04/08/iraq.fallujah.ap/ "Marines, insurgents wage furious battle for Fallujah"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040415104410/http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/04/08/iraq.fallujah.ap/ |date=15 April 2004}}. CNN.</ref>

After several failed attempts at ceasefires, the US backed out of the city. A Marine commander stated "We don't want to turn Fallujah into [[Dresden]]". The US handed authority of the city over to a former Iraqi general who had served under Saddam Hussein, and whose fighters the US acknowledges may include former members of insurgency.

Afterwards, the city was referred to as "free rebel town"; banners in the city streets proclaimed victory over the United States, and some of its mosques praised the Iraqi insurgency. The general, [[Muhammed Latif]], told [[Reuters]], "I want the American soldier to return to his camp. What I want more is that he returns to the United States."<ref>Chandrasekaran, Rajiv, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6897-2004May6.html "Gamble Brings Old Uniforms Back Into Style"]{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}. ''Washington Post'', 7 May 2004; Page A01.</ref>

US marines encircled Fallujah with an earth wall, trying to control access to the city, allowing only women and children to leave the city. On 19 June 2004, twenty-two Iraqis, among them women and children, were killed in a US air strike on a residential neighborhood.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2004/06/19/iraq_fallujah040619|title=US defends deadly air strike|publisher=CBC|date=19 June 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060212181454/http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2004/06/19/iraq_fallujah040619|archive-date=2006-02-12}}</ref> Allawi condemned the rebellion and called upon the city to surrender [[Abu Musab al-Zarqawi]], the leader of the [[Tawhid-e-Jihad]] group who is alleged to be hiding in Fallujah, or face aerial bombing by the United States.

===Muqtada al-Sadr===
On 4 April 2004, coalition forces closed [[Shiite]] cleric [[Muqtada al-Sadr]]'s newspaper [[al-Hawza]], claiming it contained incitements to violence. One example provided was that on 26 February, an article claimed that a suicide bombing in [[Iskandariya]] that killed 53 people was a rocket fired by the Americans, and not a car bomb. In response, al-Sadr launched a day of protests. During these protests, members of the Iraqi insurgency (who may or may not have been tied to al-Sadr) ambushed a Coalition patrol guarding a trash collecting unit in [[Sadr-City]] resulting in the deaths of 8 soldiers. Several dozen of al-Sadr's followers were killed during these protests.

The coalition responded by arresting one of al-Sadr's closest aides, leading to al-Sadr calling on his followers to rise up. The next days fighting erupted in many cities in southern Iraq, including [[Karbala]], [[Kut]], [[Nasiriya]] and [[Basra]]. The CPA announced the existence of a three-month-old arrest warrant, issued by an Iraqi judge, on al-Sadr, claiming that he was responsible for the killing of Coalition-aligned cleric [[Abdul Majid al-Khoei]]. The warrant itself inspired further opposition, as Khoei's own followers blamed Ba'athists for the murder, the Coalition-appointed Iraqi Minister of Justice stated that he had no knowledge of the warrant, and the Iraqi Jurists Association declared the warrant "illegal". Al-Sadr, who had previously created his own parallel government and a militia called the al-Mahdi Army, instructed his followers to no longer follow along with the occupation, and suggested that they attack Coalition soldiers, and his followers took control of several southern cities, often with the support of local authorities and police.

During the first few days of the uprising al-Sadr stayed in [[Kufa]], where he traditionally had a large following. On 7 April he moved to Najaf, into a building close to the shrine of the [[Imam Ali]], the holiest shrine in the Shia faith. After fierce fighting during the first days of the uprising, his followers took control over many cities in southern Iraq. In Kut, the Ukrainian occupational contingent was forced out of the city by a rain of mortar fire. The Italians were contained inside their base in Nassiriya, and in Basra the governor's palace was occupied. In [[Karbala]], Polish and Bulgarian forces were able to hold their own after a battle lasting the whole night. The Alliance reacted by dispensing a reactionary force on 8 April to Kut, forcing al-Sadr followers to melt away into the city's population. The same happened in most of the other cities and control was nominally ceded. Only Najaf and Kufa, which the Americans did not enter, remained effectively under the control of al-Sadr followers. The Coalition sent 2,500 US Marines to Najaf to try to 'arrest or kill' al-Sadr.

Initially hopeful that al-Sistani would force al-Sadr to capitulate, the coalition was disappointed when, while he called for all sides to show restraint, he focused instead on condemning coalition activities in Fallujah. In mid-May 2004, a US-led force began pushing into Najaf. In the process, they invaded several mosques to seize weaponry, and there were reports of damage to some of Shia Islam's holiest shrines. US forces, using their superior firepower and air support, inflicted a steady stream of al-Mahdi army casualties; al-Sadr and hospital officials disputed the numbers, and both claimed that many of them were civilians. The al-Mahdi were only able to inflict few American casualties, but on 17 May, it was reported that the Al-Madhi army drove Italian troops from their base in [[Nasiriyah]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sunherald.com/mld/thesunherald/news/world/8684094.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp |title=The Sun Herald (of south Mississippi) story |access-date=2004-06-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040606041633/http://www.sunherald.com/mld/thesunherald/news/world/8684094.htm?template=contentModules%2Fprintstory.jsp |archive-date=6 June 2004}} (from the [[Knight Ridder]] services) about the incident over the actions of the insurgents driving the Italian troops from their base in Nasiriyah called "Libeccio" ("southwest wind").</ref> Ten Italians were wounded, along with 20 al-Mahdi army fighters wounded and two killed, in the assault. The base was peacefully retaken the next day in a negotiated settlement with local clan leaders.

While the Alliance continually insisted that he had little support, and there were limited clashes with the smaller SCIRI, he was seldom condemned by his more senior clerics. Islamic courts expanded their influence in areas he controlled. The [[Imam Ali]] mosque ended its call for prayers with a request for divine protection for him, and his followers were clearly large in number.<ref>"[http://www.boston.com/dailynews/137/world/Once_considered_fringe_al_SadrP.shtml Once considered fringe al Sadr movement now leads anti-US fight]". ''Boston Globe'', 2005. {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Many believed that al-Sistani did not speak out against al-Sadr for fear of turning Shiite against Shiite. A poll found that, in mid-May 2004, 32% of Iraqis strongly supported al-Sadr, and another 36% somewhat supported him.<ref>Ryu, Alisha, "Poll: [http://www.vnis.com/story.cfm?textnewsid=999 32% of Iraqi Respondents Strongly Support Moqtada al-Sadr] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051028091000/http://www.vnis.com/story.cfm?textnewsid=999 |date=28 October 2005 }}". Voice of America News (via Veterans News and Information Service), 24 May 2004.</ref>

In August 2004, al-Sadr attempted a second rebellion, and his al-Mahdi army again incited violence, especially in the [[Sadr city]] slum area of Baghdad, and in Najaf. US forces responded by pushing into the areas of Najaf controlled by al-Mahdi, sending the militia reeling. Supported by [[helicopter gunships]], the US military managed to kill several hundred al-Mahdi fighters, and further close in on the Iman Ali mosque, where al-Sadr had made his base. Brutal fighting raged between US troops and al-Madhi militiamen in a cemetery outside the mosque. To avoid damaging the sacred mosque in a direct raid, a political solution was sought, and a deal was struck between al-Sistani and al-Sadr ended his rebellion. In September 2004, a program encouraged al-Madhi members in Sadr city to exchange their guns into authorities for a financial compensation, and the slum was almost fully pacified.

By August 2005, al-Sadr had adopted a more conciliatory tone, along with a much lower profile, saying "I call upon all the believers to save the blood of the Muslims and to return to their homes" after an outbreak of violence between some of his followers and those of [[Abdul Aziz al-Hakim]].<ref>"[http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/08/25/iraq.main/ One-day extension for Iraq constitution] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051213084947/http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/08/25/iraq.main/ |date=13 December 2005 }}; Shiites, Kurds again fail to reach consensus with Sunnis". CNN, 25 August 2005.</ref>

===Hostages===
[[File:JackHensley.PNG|thumb|Jack Hensley, an American engineer, prior to his death]]
After the fall of the Ba'ath-regime, people with varying agendas have taken foreign and Iraqi hostages, including citizens of both countries that supported and opposed the invasion. This includes citizens of Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, France, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Germany, Japan, Jordan, Nepal, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

The hostage-taking appears to be uncoordinated, with different groups making various demands. Some hostages are released whilst others are killed, sometimes by beheading. Several kidnappings have been claimed by the [[Jama'at al-Tawhid wal Jihad|Tawhid and Jihad]] (The Unity of God and Holy War) Islamist group, which changed its name to "Al-Qaeda in Iraq" in October 2004. The group was run by the Jordanian-born Palestinian [[Abu Musab al-Zarqawi]]. The hostages who have been beheaded by Zarqawi's group, and possibly by Zarqawi himself, include Americans [[Nick Berg]], [[Eugene Armstrong]] and [[Jack Hensley]], South Korean [[Kim Sun-il]], [[Shosei Koda]] from Japan, and [[Kenneth Bigley]] from the UK. Italian [[Fabrizio Quattrocchi]] was shot in the head, possibly by another group, as was British aid worker [[Margaret Hassan]]. According to the [[Committee to Protect Journalists]], at least 25 journalists have been kidnapped by armed groups in Iraq since April 2004, when insurgents began targeting foreigners for abduction.

While some hostagetaking seems to be politically motivated, a large number of hostages are taken by criminals as a means of obtaining cash. Iraqis presumed to have high incomes have especially been targeted.

On the evening of 4 March 2005, the car leading [[Giuliana Sgrena]], freshly liberated, along with two agents of the [[Sismi]], the Italian Military Intelligence service, was fired upon by US troops. [[Nicola Calipari]], who had negotiated the liberation of the other eight Italian hostages, was killed, while Sgrena and the other agent were wounded; see [[Rescue of Giuliana Sgrena]].

===Fall-out===
As a result of the uprisings [[US General]] [[John Abizaid]] in April 2004 requested an additional 10,000 troops be sent to Iraq after admitting that a number of Iraqi security personnel had abandoned their posts or joined the Iraqi insurgency.<ref>Hess, Pamela, (Pentagon correspondent) "DOD: [https://archive.today/20120720122837/http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040412-053906-3504r.htm Security forces disappoint in Iraq]". News World Communications, 2004.</ref> On 16 April 2004, [[US Defense Secretary]] [[Donald Rumsfeld]] announced that he had approved General Abizaid's request and had extended the tour of roughly 20,000 soldiers, who were scheduled to be rotated out of Iraq, by three months. A fresh mass grave was found near Ramadi, containing the bodies of over 350 Iraqis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/8378962.htm |title=Mass Grave of Dead Iraqi Insurgents and Civilians found |access-date=2004-05-05 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040505204626/http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/8378962.htm |archive-date=5 May 2004}}. Real Cities. (ed., Originally from Knight Ridder News Coverage of Washington and the World).</ref> It is unclear whether this mass grave contained dead civilians and/or militants.

===Iraq Study Group Report===
[[File:U.S. President George W. Bush with Lee Hamilton, left, and former Secretary of State James Baker in the Cabinet Room, Dec. 6. 2006.jpg|thumb|[[Lee H. Hamilton]] (left) and [[James Baker]] (right) present the Iraq Study Group Report to [[George W. Bush]] on 6 December 2006.]]
At a news conference with the British Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]] in Washington on 6 December 2006, President [[George W. Bush]] commented the [[Iraq Study Group]]'s bipartisan report assessing the current situation of the US-led [[Iraq War]] and making policy recommendations. President Bush admitted for the first time that a "new approach" is needed in Iraq, that the situation in Iraq is "bad there" and that the task ahead was "daunting".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6217834.stm |title=Bush ponders next Iraq move |work=BBC News |date=7 December 2006 |access-date=6 January 2010 |first=Paul |last=Reynolds |archive-date=15 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715003730/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6217834.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> President Bush said he would not accept every recommendation by the ISG panel but promised that he would take the report seriously.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/article2056247.ece |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720194611/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/article2056247.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-07-20 |title=Cracks appear between Bush and Blair over need for talks with Iran and Syria}}</ref>

==Iraq Coalition members departures==
{{details|Multinational force in Iraq}}
All foreign troops have withdrawn from Iraq.

==American withdrawal==
On 18 August 2010 the 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, the last US combat brigade withdrew from Iraq, ending the US combat mission in Iraq. 52,600 US military personnel remained in Iraq to take on an advisory role.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ml_iraq_americans_head_home|title=Goodbye Iraq: Last US Combat Brigade Heads Home|work=Yahoo! News|date=19 August 2010|access-date=19 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821132013/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ml_iraq_americans_head_home|archive-date=2010-08-21}}</ref>

On 19 August 2010, US President Barack Obama announced that all US combat operations would end on 31 August. 50,000 troops would stay in an advise-and-assist role. The full withdrawal was in December 2011. Between 15 and 18 December, the last troops left.

==US military patrolling==
During the "post-war" Iraq occupation, occupying forces have turned their attention to enforcing order through [[patrolling]]. These patrols faced insurgents who conduct ambushes using assault rifles, rocket propelled grenades, and carefully placed and timed explosives. The patrols require armored vehicles capable of stopping at least small arms fire of 7.62&nbsp;mm machine gun rounds along with mandatory external weapons platforms and tracking equipment. Experience is also key in detecting any potentially threatening, out of place car, box or person while following the [[rules of engagement]] that dictate a passive-but-ready posture. Patrolling soldiers spend nearly eight hours a day in sector and accrue nearly 30 patrols per month.{{fact|date=July 2024}}

==US permanent facilities==
In October 2004, Iraq's interim government transferred to US ownership {{convert|104|acre|km2}} of land beside the Tigris River in Baghdad for construction of a [[Embassy of the United States in Baghdad|new US embassy]]. The new facility will be the largest of its kind in the world, the size of [[Vatican City]], with the population of a small town, its own defense force, self-contained power and water. A few details of the embassy complex are available from a [[US Senate Foreign Relations Committee]] report, though many of the details remain secret. Its construction is budgeted at $592 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/news/article/U-S-embassy-is-biggest-secret-in-Baghdad-1883267.php|title=US embassy is biggest secret in Baghdad|first1=Leila|last1=Fadel|first2=Fort Worth|last2=Star-telegram|date=20 May 2006|website=Houston Chronicle}}</ref>

Besides the embassy complex, four "super bases" are being built for permanent deployment. One would be adjacent to Baghdad, two would be close to the southern and northern oil fields and the fourth would be in the west towards Syria.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oxfordresearchgroup.org.uk/publications/paulrogers/April06.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060831015421/http://www.oxfordresearchgroup.org.uk/publications/paulrogers/April06.htm|archive-date=31 August 2006|title=From Cold War to Long War}}</ref>

The US is in the process of building 14 bases known as enduring bases. Four are unknown as to name and location. The other ten are: Green Zone in Baghdad, Camp Anaconda at Balad Airbase, Camp Taji in Taji, Camp Falcon-Al-Sarq in Baghdad, Post Freedom in Mosul, Camp Victory-Al Nasr at Baghdad Airfield, Camp Marez at Mosul Airfield, Camp Renegade in Kirkuk, Camp Speicher in Tikrit and Camp Fallujuh.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fcnl.org/iraq/bases_text.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070419131118/http://www.fcnl.org/iraq/bases_text.htm|archive-date=19 April 2007|title=If the US is ultimately leaving Iraq, why is the military building 'permanent' bases?}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/iraq-intro.htm|title=Iraq Facilities|website=www.globalsecurity.org}}</ref>

==Cultural dimensions==
As cultural scientist Roland Benedikter poses in his book on ''Sustainable Democratization of Iraq''<ref>Roland Benedikter, ''Nachhaltige Demokratisierung des Irak?'' (Sustainable Democratization of Iraq? Socio-cultural perspectives), Passagen Verlag Vienna 2005 634pp</ref> and in a series of essays,<ref>{{cite web|author=Roland Benedikter|title=Overcoming ethnic division in Iraq. A practical model from Europe. In: In The National Interest, The Nixon Foundation|url=http://inthenationalinterest.com/Articles/Vol3Issue6/Vol3Issue6Benedikter.html |publisher=Inthenationalinterest.com|access-date=22 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616163400/http://inthenationalinterest.com/Articles/Vol3Issue6/Vol3Issue6Benedikter.html|archive-date=16 June 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> one main cause of the ongoing problems of pacification seems to consist in the fact that the socio-cultural dimensions of sustainability, including questions of ethnicity, religion and minority issues, have not been included appropriately in the overall democratization strategies so far.{{fact|date=July 2024}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Iraq}}
* [[Archaeological looting in Iraq]]: Since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime, looters have descended upon many archaeological sites, and have begun destroying them and looting artifacts to an alarming degree.
* [[Criticism of the Iraq War]]: A list of common criticisms of the 2003 invasion and subsequent military occupation of Iraq.
* [[Hillbilly armor]]: a US military slang term coined during the occupation to refer to the improvised vehicle armor being used by some US troops.
* [[Human rights in post-invasion Iraq]]: Various parties expressed concern about the state of human rights in Iraq after the 2003 occupation of Iraq.
* [[Iraq and weapons of mass destruction]]: The Iraqi government's use, possession, and alleged intention of acquiring more types of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) during the reign of Saddam Hussein.
* [[United Nations Security Council and the Iraq War]]: Actions associated with the Gulf War in 1991 and UN Security Council Resolution 1441 in late 2002–2003 with at least 14 other resolutions and 30 statements between those two events.
* [[Iraq War order of battle]]: Current list of US and allied military formations and units involved in Iraq.
* [[Ibn Sina Hospital]]
* [[Iraq disarmament crisis]]: Issue of Iraq's disarmament reached a crisis in 2002–2003, after demands of the complete end to Iraqi production and use of weapons of mass destruction and that Iraq comply with UN Resolutions requiring UN inspectors unfettered access to areas those inspectors thought might have weapons production facilities.
* [[Iraq Survey Group]]: A fact-finding mission sent by the coalition after the 2003 Invasion of Iraq to find weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs developed by Iraq under the regime of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
* [[Japanese Iraq Reconstruction and Support Group]]: Japanese government's deployment of troops to Iraq.
* [[Dover test]]: Informal test and a journalistic phrase to describe whether the general population is supporting a military action by the public reaction to returning war casualties.
* [[Timeline of the Iraq War]]: Timeline of events during Multinational force's occupation of Iraq, following 2003 invasion of Iraq, and relevant quotations about nature of occupation from officials
* [[Iraq War order of battle 2009]]: Overview of coalition forces in Iraq.
* [[War on Terror]] (in US foreign policy circles, the global war on terrorism or GWOT) is a campaign by the United States and some of its allies to rid the world of terrorist groups and to end state sponsorship of terrorism.
* [[256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (United States)]]

'''Post World War II occupations:'''
* [[Occupied Japan]]: The post World War II US occupation of Japan 1945–1952
* [[United States Army Military Government in Korea]]: US military administered southern Korea from 1945 to 1948
* [[Morgenthau Plan]]: The post World War II US occupation of part of Germany 1945–1955 ([[Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany|Germany was not fully sovereign until 1991]])
* [[History of Germany since 1945]]
* [[GARIOA]] Government And Relief in Occupied Areas of Europe
* [[Marshall Plan]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite book |last=Petersen |first=Roger Dale |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4wDsEAAAQBAJ |title=Death, Dominance, and State-building: The US in Iraq and the Future of American Military Intervention |date=2024 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-776074-1 |series=Oxford scholarship online |location=New York, NY}}
* {{cite web |title=Iraq Coalition Casualty Count |url=http://icasualties.org/oif/ |access-date=29 June 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050628212100/http://icasualties.org/oif/ |archive-date=28 June 2005}}
* {{Cite news |title=Non-US Forces in Iraq |date=15 March 2005 |publisher=GlobalSecurity.org |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/iraq_orbat_coalition.htm}}
* {{Cite report |url=http://reports.iraqbodycount.org/a_dossier_of_civilian_casualties_2003-2005.pdf |title=A Dossier of Civilian Casualties in Iraq 2003–2005 |date=27 July 2005 |publisher=Iraq Body Count; Oxford Research Group |access-date=30 December 2008}}
* {{Cite news |last=Gillan |first=Audrey |title=Shocking images revealed at Britain's 'Abu Ghraib trial' |date=19 January 2005 |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1393637,00.html |location=London}}
* {{Cite news |title=In Pictures: Alleged prisoner abuse near Basra |date=19 January 2005 |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/gall/0,8542,1393803,00.html |location=London |access-date=22 May 2010}}
* {{Cite news |title=Seven soldiers charged with Iraqi's murder |date=3 February 2005 |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/military/story/0,11816,1405166,00.html |location=London |access-date=22 May 2010}}
* {{Cite news |title=Iraq timeline: 1 February 2004 to 31 December 2004 |date=January 2005 |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/Iraq/page/0,12438,1151021,00.html |location=London |access-date=22 May 2010}}
* {{Cite news |last=Carroll |first=Rory |title=Meet the men who Britain and the US hope will take over the battle against Iraqi insurgents – if they live long enough |date=4 February 2005 |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1405777,00.html |location=London}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Cordesman |first=Anthony H. |date=August 6, 2004 |title=US Policy in Iraq: A 'Realist' Approach to its Challenges and Opportunities |journal=[[Center for Strategic and International Studies]]}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Jennings |first=Ray Salvatore |date=May 1, 2003 |title=The Road Ahead: Lessons in Nation Building from Japan, Germany, and Afghanistan for Postwar Iraq |url=https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/pwks49.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219053311/http://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/pwks49.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 February 2014 |journal=[[United States Institute of Peace]] |issue=49}}
* {{Cite book |last=Sunga |first=Lyal S. |author-link=Lyal S. Sunga |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/9780511511233/type/book |title=Ethics in Action: The Ethical Challenges of International Human Rights Nongovernmental Organizations |date=2006 |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |isbn=978-0-521-68449-1 |editor-last=Bell |editor-first=Daniel A. |location=Cambridge |pages=99–116 |chapter=Dilemmas Facing NGOs in Coalition-Occupied Iraq |doi=10.1017/CBO9780511511233.006 |editor-last2=Coicaud |editor-first2=Jean-Marc}}

;Legal status
* {{Cite journal |last=Sunga |first=Lyal S. |author-link=Lyal S. Sunga |date=2003 |title=ISIL Year Book of International Humanitarian and Refugee Law |journal=[[Indian Society of International Law]] |location=New Delhi |pages=1–21}}

;Management of the Iraq Reconstruction Program
* {{Cite web |last=Hoge |first=Warren |date=December 15, 2004 |title=U.N. Criticizes Iraq Occupation Oil Sales |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/15/world/middleeast/un-criticizes-iraq-occupation-oil-sales.html |website=[[New York Times]]}}

==External links==
* [http://www.wemeantwell.com Information on the US efforts to rebuild Iraq, with focus on the PRT program]
* [http://wpsu.org/backfromiraq Back from Iraq: The Veterans' Stories Project]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927191126/http://www.cooperativeresearch.org/timeline.jsp?timeline=us_occupation_of_iraq_tmln Searchable timeline of Iraq occupation]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070620025304/http://www.anestforjesus.org/stories/Saddam_Hussein_Execution_Video.php The end of Saddam Hussein] Warning: Graphic Execution video
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070211160801/http://www.anestforjesus.org/stories/2nd_Saddam_Hussein_Video_-_In_the_morg.php The end of Saddam Hussein] (video 2 January 8/07)- Warning: Mature content.
* [http://usliberals.about.com/od/homelandsecurit1/a/AmerPalace.htm About.com's An American Palace in Iraq and Four Permanent US Bases] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303165545/http://usliberals.about.com/od/homelandsecurit1/a/AmerPalace.htm |date=3 March 2016 }}
* [http://www.iraqanalysis.org/ www.iraqanalysis.org] – Information source listings and analysis on post-invasion Iraq
* [http://www.iraqbodycount.org/ Iraq Body Count] – Independent database listing civilians killed in the Iraq war and occupation
* {{cite web|url=http://www.wsws.org/sections/category/news/me-iraq.shtml |title=Latest analysis on Iraq |access-date=2007-11-07 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080208131437/http://www.wsws.org/sections/category/news/me-iraq.shtml |archive-date=8 February 2008}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20151017115225/http://www.frogstylebiscuit.com/index.php?function=set_current_category&name=news&category_id=14 FSB Iraq] FrogStyleBiscuit's Iraq News and Analysis
* [https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/infocus/iraq/iraq_archive.html Iraq News Archive] The White House
* Senator Byrd, Robert [https://web.archive.org/web/20041207041554/http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0407-15.htm A Call for an Exit Door from Iraq] 7 April 2004, Common Dreams News Center
* [http://www.monthlyreview.org/0604editors.htm Is Iraq Another 'Vietnam'?] ''Monthly Review'', volume 56, issue 2, June 2004
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080503203008/http://www.missionandjustice.org/?s=iraq+usa US/Iraq News] Mission and Justice
* Jason Vest, "Willful Ignorance", ''Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists'', July/August 2005. Discusses US approach to counterinsurgency in Iraq.
* Sheehan-Miles, Charles [http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/?Page=Module&ModuleID=48 Iraq in Transition: An Examination of Iraqi resistance, terrorism, insurgency and organized crime] 2005
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060902220839/http://www.kultursmog.com/Life-Page01.htm Americans are Losing the Victory in Europe], and [https://web.archive.org/web/20060831232005/http://www.kultursmog.com/Life-Page02.htm Grim Europe Faces Winter of Misery] [[Life (magazine)|''Life'']], 7 January 1946
* [http://www.trumanlibrary.org/oralhist/draperw.htm Oral History Interview with General William H. Draper Jr.] Chief, Economics Division, Control Council for Germany, 1945–46
* [http://www.trumanlibrary.org/oralhist/clayl.htm Oral History Interview with General Lucius D. Clay] Deputy military governor, Germany (US) 1946; commander in chief, US Forces in Europe and military governor, US Zone, Germany, 1947–49
* [http://www.marchofwar.com/ MarchofWar.com – Up-to-date Iraq war clock, war quotes and slogans, plus poll]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160526203058/http://shadewhile.com/contractor1.html Interview with an American Contractor in Iraq]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070930115813/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,887004,00.html A Policy for Germany]
* [https://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.smh.com.au%2Farticles%2F2003%2F05%2F19%2F1053196485657.html&_gwt_pg=0&hl=en&mrestrict=xhtml&q=kurdistan+official+shot+dead&source=m&site=search Daoud al-Qaissi, Saddam's singer executed]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080210085509/http://wmf.org/iraq.html The World Monuments Fund's Iraq Cultural Heritage Conservation Initiative]
* [http://www.independent.org/publications/tir/article.asp?issueID=47&articleID=599 Did the United States Create Democracy in Germany? James L. Payne] ''The Independent Review'', Volume 11 Number 2, Fall 2006, Analysis of the axiom that democracy can be imposed
* [http://www.clemson.edu/caah/history/FacultyPages/EdMoise/iraqbib.html#post Bibliography: Iraq Wars: Post 2003] by Edwin Moise
* [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0307278832 ''Imperial Life in the Emerald City: Inside Iraq's Green Zone''] by Rajiv Chandrasekaran
* [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0143038915 ''Fiasco: The American Military Adventure in Iraq, 2003–2005''] by Thomas E. Ricks

{{Iraq War}}
{{Polish wars and conflicts}}
{{Asia in topic|Terrorism in|IL=Timeline of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict}}
{{Armed Iraqi Groups in the Iraq War and the Iraq Civil War}}
{{Iraq topics}}

[[Category:2000s in Iraq]]
[[Category:2010s in Iraq]]
[[Category:Al-Qaeda]]
[[Category:George W. Bush administration controversies]]
[[Category:History of Iraq (1958–present)| 2003–2011]]
[[Category:Iraq–United States relations]]
[[Category:Iraq War]]
[[Category:Iraqi insurgency (2003–2011)]]
[[Category:Occupation of Iraq| ]]
[[Category:Politics of Iraq]]
[[Category:Islamic terrorism in Iraq]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 2003]]
[[Category:States and territories disestablished in 2011]]
[[Category:History of Iraq]]
[[Category:Wars involving the United States]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 2003]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 2004]]

[[cs:Okupace Iráku]]
[[et:2003. aasta Iraagi okupatsioon]]
[[fi:Irakin sota vuoden 2003 hyökkäyksen jälkeen]]
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