The Battle of Britain

Iraq War and Insurgency

Camouflaging vehicles in preparation for the invasion of Iraq, March 2003; Soldiers of 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment Battle Group, part of 16 Air Assault Brigade, camouflage vehicles in Kuwait during preparations for Operation 'Telic', the British codename given to their contribution to the invasion of Iraq. Britain provided one of the five divisions that took part in the invasion and in total supplied about 40,000 soldiers.

Camouflaging vehicles in preparation for the invasion of Iraq, March 2003

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Soldiers of 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment Battle Group, part of 16 Air Assault Brigade, camouflage vehicles in Kuwait during preparations for Operation 'Telic', the British codename given to their contribution to the invasion of Iraq. Britain provided one of the five divisions that took part in the invasion and in total supplied about 40,000 soldiers.

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On 20 March 2003, a United States-led international coalition - which included Britain - launched an invasion of Iraq. The stated aims were to disarm the country of weapons of mass destruction, end Saddam Hussein's support for terrorism and...

On 20 March 2003, a United States-led international coalition - which included Britain - launched an invasion of Iraq. The stated aims were to disarm the country of weapons of mass destruction, end Saddam Hussein's support for terrorism and free the Iraqi people from his repressive regime.

The invasion began with air strikes on Baghdad and an amphibious assault on the Al-Faw peninsula to secure oil fields and key ports. As the land campaign progressed, many Coalition troops encountered fierce opposition. But by 9 April, US troops were in Baghdad - effectively ending Saddam Hussein's regime. On 1 May, US President George W Bush made a speech in which he declared the war over saying, 'The battle of Iraq is one victory in a war on terror that began on September 11, 2001'.

Looting in Baghdad and other major cities had destroyed much of the country's infrastructure and there was high unemployment – exacerbated by the disbandment of the previous regime's army. Across Iraq, the fighting continued as a violent insurgency developed. Coalition forces and Iraqis working with them were targeted. Large quantities of arms and ammunition had also been looted, further fuelling the insurgency.

Thousands of Iraqi civilians were killed, injured or forced to leave their homes as the violence escalated, reaching its peak in 2006.

By 2008, the situation had stabilised due partly to a US troop surge. British combat troops were withdrawn in July 2009. US combat operations formally ended in August 2010.

Between 2003 and 2009, there were 179 UK military deaths in Iraq.

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Related Exhibitions

  • Stop the War Coalition poster, 2003

    posters

    Stop the War Coalition poster, 2003; The Stop the War Coalition was formed in London on 21 September 2001. The group organised numerous marches and anti-war protests in the run-up to the war in Iraq. The largest event took place on 15 February 2003 when between one and two million people marched through London. This was the biggest demonstration in British political history. This 2003 poster by Guardian cartoonist Steve Bell was sold to fundraise for the group.

  • Colonel Tim Collins addressing troops

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    Colonel Tim Collins addressing troops; Colonel Tim Collins, Commanding Officer of 1st Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment Battle Group, addresses troops on 5 March 2003. Colonel Collins gave a widely reported and reproduced address to his troops. He began by saying, 'We go to liberate, not to conquer. We will not fly our flags in their country. We are entering Iraq to free a people, and the only flag which will be blown in that ancient land is their own.'

  • Message for Iraqi civilians, 2003

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    Message for Iraqi civilians, 2003; A message in Arabic written on a blackboard, possibly at the Technical College on the outskirts of Basra City. The message, addressed to the 'people of Iraq', tells them that the Allies have come to liberate them from the regime of Saddam Hussein. Leaflets were also distributed with a message from British Prime Minister Tony Blair reassuring Iraqis that 'This is not a war on Iraq. This is a campaign against Saddam Hussein's regime'.

  • British troops advance on Basra, April 2003

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    British troops advance on Basra, April 2003; This photograph taken on 3 April 2003 shows the scene at Bridge Four on the outskirts of Basra. A soldier of 1st Battalion, Irish Guards is seen looking out for possible Iraqi enemy positions as Royal Engineers prepare to cap one of the burning oil wells within the city. On 6 April UK forces entered the city of Basra itself, and within a week the first UK-Iraqi joint police patrols took place.

  • The advance into Basra City, 2003

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    The advance into Basra City, 2003; Instead of making a large-scale advance into the centre of Basra, British troops moved in gradually, hoping to minimise opposition and limit casualties on both sides. This photograph shows Iraqi civilians watching soldiers of 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment as they advance into the Old Town.

  • British forces arrive in Kuwait, February 2003

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    British forces arrive in Kuwait, February 2003; Medical services for UK armed forces during Operation 'Telic' were provided by members of 33 Field Hospital Royal Army Medical Corps. This photograph shows them constructing the tented camp which formed part of the mobile hospital. From 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2005, 111 UK military personnel were recorded as injured or seriously injured.

  • Iraqi refugees fleeting Basra

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    Iraqi refugees fleeting Basra; Iraqi refugees fleeting Basra during fighting to secure the city, March–April 2003. Neither the American nor British governments had any detailed plans in place for how to deal with the aftermath of the invasion or to rebuild the country. Many Iraqis were pleased to see the end of Saddam Hussein's regime but did not welcome the presence of the Coalition forces, especially when it became clear that they were unable to enforce peace and bring stability.

  • Shirt worn during the Iraq War, 2003

    uniforms and insignia

    Shirt worn during the Iraq War, 2003; Shirt made from desert-coloured Disruptive Pattern Material worn in Iraq by a member of 1st Battalion, The Queen's Lancashire Regiment. The battalion deployed to Basra on Operation 'Telic II' from July to November 2003. During their deployment, 1 member of the battalion was killed and 32 were wounded.

  • Formation badge for Multi-National Division Iraq

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    Formation badge for Multi-National Division Iraq; Multi-National Division (South East) was formed in Iraq in 2003. It was a British-commanded division responsible for security in the south-east of Iraq. This area included the city of Basra. The badge is made up of Iraq's national colours of red, white and black. It was worn mostly by divisional staff officers and troops.

  • Graffiti on a portrait of Saddam Hussein in Basra, 2003

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    Graffiti on a portrait of Saddam Hussein in Basra, 2003; The former President of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, was arrested on 13 December 2003, and subsequently tried for crimes against humanity. He was executed on 30 December 2006. On 1 June 2004, a new interim Iraqi government was appointed. The following January, Iraq held its first multi-party elections in 50 years. Despite this progress, the insurgency continued to grow.

  • Stop the War Coalition poster, 2004

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    Stop the War Coalition poster, 2004; In April 2004 images of US forces abusing Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison were published worldwide. These images were seen by many as undermining the Coalition's claims of moral legitimacy. The negative publicity also further reduced any Iraqi support for the invasion and for the continuing presence of Coalition forces.

  • Counter-insurgency operations in Basra, 2006

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    Counter-insurgency operations in Basra, 2006; British soldiers, supported by other members of the Multi-National Force, carry out a night search and arrest operation in a house in Basra City. The search revealed a cache of arms, ammunition and bomb-making equipment. Fourteen suspected insurgents were arrested.