The End of Saddam

Iraqis topple an iconic statue of Saddam Hussein in central Baghdad with help from U.S. soldiers. In hindsight, the event foreshadows what is to come: One of the Americans covers the statue's face with a U.S. flag, which is quickly replaced by an Iraqi one.

It had taken just three weeks after the U.S. invasion for Baghdad to fall.

"It took American soldiers to … whip up the celebration"

"Freedom is Untidy"

As soon as Baghdad falls, Iraqis begin looting on a grand scale and attacking government ministries. During this first postwar week, the looting verges on chaos. But less than two U.S. brigades are in isolated positions in the city of over 5 million. U.S. troops don't stop the looters.

As the world watches the scenes of looting across Iraq, Rumsfeld tries to downplay concerns, saying: "Freedom is untidy."

Observations & Analysis

Looting escalates across Iraq

The Iraqi Governing Council

This 25-seat organization, created temporarily by the CPA to fill Iraq's power vacuum, meets for the first time. Its membership, handpicked by CPA, reflects all Iraqi ethnic groups and includes several women. White House favorite Ahmad Chalabi gets a seat and is given control over de-Baathification efforts. The council's limited powers and U.S. control over its membership foster distrust among many Iraqis.

Uday and Qusay Hussein Killed

Saddam Hussein's sons Uday and Qusay are killed in a U.S.-led raid after an Iraqi informant leads soldiers to the brothers' hideout in Mosul. The news is welcomed as a sign of progress toward stabilizing Iraq.

Memo to Saddam's Secret Police Sheds Light on Iraqi Resistance

The chief of the CIA's Baghdad station shows Bremer a document recovered from a trashed office of Saddam's secret police. The memo instructs them to organize sabotage, looting, sniper attacks and ambushes across Iraq to thwart coalition efforts. It helps make sense of the growing insurgency.

Jordanian Embassy Attacked

A large car bomb explodes outside the embassy in Baghdad, killing 17 people and injuring dozens. It's the first terrorist-style car bombing in Iraq.

Riots in Basra

After continuing gasoline shortages and blackouts, riots erupt across this southern Iraqi city that had been relatively quiet

Truck Bomb Destroys U.N. Headquarters

A truck bomb explodes outside the hotel housing U.N. headquarters in Baghdad, killing the U.N. special envoy to Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and at least 21 others. The increasing scale of the insurgents' attacks puts Iraqis on edge.

A major turning point

Attack on Mosque in Najaf

A car bomb explodes outside a mosque in the Shiite holy city of Najaf as crowds leave midday prayers. The blast kills more than 100 people, including Shiite spiritual leader Ayatollah Mohammad Baqir al-Hakim.

By the end of this summer, any debate about whether there is an insurgency is settled.

The war for Iraq's future begins

Coalition Forces Round Up Suspected Insurgents

Massive sweeps start to arrest suspected insurgents. Available prisons, including Abu Ghraib, are quickly filled.

Analysis of the sweeps

Abu Ghraib

During the fall of 2003, some U.S. troops guarding prisoners at Abu Ghraib begin photographing prisoner torture and abuse.

Moqtada al-Sadr Gains Strength

His followers continue to grow as the cleric spreads his message of resistance and violence against U.S. occupation.

Mehdi Army Attacks U.S. Patrol

Two U.S. soldiers are killed when a band of Mehdi army militiamen attacks U.S. a patrol in Sadr City. It is the first in a string of escalating attacks by Moqtada al-Sadr's followers. The following day, thousands of Shiites in Sadr City take to the streets to protest the U.S.-led occupation.

Attack on al-Rashid Hotel

A rocket attack on the heavily fortified al-Rashid Hotel kills 16 people, including a colonel working for the CPA. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz is among those who escape unharmed.

The effect on the CPA

Attack on Red Cross Headquarters

Within a 45-minute window, suicide bombers set off four car bombs across Baghdad -- including three at local police stations and one at the headquarters of the Red Cross -- killing 35 and demonstrating the insurgents' growing coordination and sophistication.

U.S. Helicopter Shot Down

Insurgents shoot down a Chinook helicopter over Fallujah, killing 15 U.S. soldiers. It is the single deadliest strike on coalition troops since the war began.

Insurgents Attack Bremer's Convoy

Bremer survives an assassination attempt on his convoy. The CPA does not publicly confirm the incident until two weeks later.

Saddam Hussein Captured

Saddam Hussein is found hiding outside his hometown of Tikrit, in a dirt hole. The capture is highly publicized, but does not deter the growing violence across Iraq.

Intercepted Letter From Zarqawi

The letter is from Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq, and details his plans for the insurgency. His goals include fomenting violence between Shiite and Sunni Muslims, targeting the emerging Iraqi police and military, and killing Kurds -- any measure to derail progress toward a democratic Iraq.

Attack at the Green Zone Gates

The day after U.S. casualties reach 500, a suicide truck bomb explodes at the gates of CPA headquarters, killing at least 20 people and injuring 100.

The Effect on the CPA

New Iraqi Protest

In the largest protest since the CPA took control of Iraq, 100,000 Shiites march in support of Governing Council member Ayatollah al-Sistani's call for direct elections instead of the CPA-facilitated plan for appointed interim leaders.

Major Attacks Across Erbil

Part of a continuing wave of large-scale attacks on soldiers and civilians, suicide bombings in the Kurdish city of Erbil kill roughly 100 Iraqis.

Police Station Bombed

Fifty people are killed by a car bomb at a police recruiting station in Iskandariya, a city 25 miles south of Baghdad.

Army Recruitment Center Attacked

At least 40 people die in a car bombing outside an Iraqi army recruitment center in Baghdad.

Karbala Mosque Attack

On a holy day for Shi'a Muslims, suicide attacks in Karbala kill over 85 people. It's a sign of the growing ethnic and religious strife.

Interim Constitution Passed

Overcoming Shiite objections that the new plan gives Kurds too much power, Iraq's Governing Council signs an interim constitution to govern Iraq after the transfer of sovereignty in June, and until the adoption of a permanent constitution.

The CPA's "legacy"

Tensions With al-Sadr Escalate

The CPA labels the daily newspaper Al-Hawza a mouthpiece of Moqtada al-Sadr and orders it closed for 60 days on charges of inciting violence. Bremer also orders the arrest of a top al-Sadr lieutenant, Mustafa Yaqoubi; the April 3 arrest stokes rebellion, and Mehdi militiamen overrun CPA offices in Kut and Nasiriya.

Four U.S. Contractors Killed In Fallujah

Four American contractors are killed; their bodies are burned, dragged through the streets, and strung up on a bridge.

Attacks Continue

In one day, Shiite insurgents launch attacks in the cities of Kufa, Karbala, Najaf, al-Kut and Sadr City.

Coalition Launches Fallujah Offensive

While battling al-Sadr's forces in the south, the U.S.-led coalition resolves to regain control of the "Sunni Triangle" area. Roughly 2,000 Marines advance on Fallujah, while 12 Marines are killed in a firefight in Ramadi to the west. The Fallujah advance is almost immediately in trouble: Iraqi troops assigned to back up U.S. forces abandon their posts. Sunni Governing Council members become enraged at civilian casualties. With the stability of the Governing Council at stake, Bremer approaches Gen. Abizaid and Lt. Gen. Sanchez, and on April 9, they agree to call off the attack on Fallujah.

Why the Fallujah advance is called off

Creation of "Fallujah Brigade" Offends Iraqis

Without informing Bremer or Gen. Sanchez, U.S. Marines agree to let a former commander in Saddam's Republican Guard recruit Iraqis to form the "Fallujah Brigade" in an attempt to restore some order to the city. The former Republican Guard member is replaced within days, but the move upsets many Iraqis who see it as a regression toward the old regime.

How weapons landed in insurgents' hands

American Contractor Beheaded

American contractor Nick Berg is beheaded by militants who say his death is retaliation for the treatment of Iraqi prisoners.

Governing Council President Assassinated

Governing Council President Izzadin Salim and six others die in a suicide car bomb attack just outside the Green Zone.

U.S. Reaches Truce With al-Sadr

Moqtada al-Sadr reaches an agreement with U.S. forces. Both sides pledge to withdraw their fighters from Najaf, ending two months of intense combat. However the cease-fire does not hold.

On the same day, the Governing Council unanimously approves U.S. pick Ayad Allawi as interim prime minister.

Governing Council Chooses al-Yawer as Interim President

The Governing Council chooses Ghazi al-Yawer, a Sunni, to serve as Iraq's interim president, a largely symbolic role. It then dissolves to make way for a 33-person cabinet that will take its place when the sovereignty is transferred to Iraqis later in the month.