Six Years of War in Iraq (64 images)

On March 17, 2003 President Bush spoke to the United States and the world from the White House on national television. On that night, President Bush gave Iraqi President Saddam Hussein 48 hours to leave Iraq or face a war with the U.S. and its allies. On March 19, 2003 a multinational force led by the United States and the United Kingdom began the invasion and the Iraq War had begun. Six years later, we take a look back at the major events that shaped this war from the capture of Saddam Hussein, to the battles in Fallujah and the Protests back home. Each gallery presents the top photos of the year captured by UPI photographers beginning in March of 2003 and ending today. [Part 1 is 11 Pages - 60 Images]

REX2003040322 - IRAQ, April 3 (UPI) -- A soldier serving with Number 1 Company 1st Battalion The Irish Guards looks for possible Iraqi Eneny positions as Royal Engineer technicians prepare to cap one of the burning oil wells within the city of Basra, Iraq, on April 3, 2003. In a dawn raid on a University / factory complex within sight of their patrol base at Bridge Four on the outskirts of Basra the Irish Guards attacked and cleared the base after coming under fire from small arms mortars and SAM Missile systems which were fired from Iraqi positions at a British Lynx Helicopter supporting the Irish Guards. rlw/Giles Penfound/REX FEATURES UPI.**EUROPE OUT**

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AFIE2003040904 - IRAQ, April 6 (UPI) -- Senior Airman Greg Pelletier and Senior Airman Phil Soares, both security forces journeyman deployed from the 157th Security Forces Squadron, Pease Air Reserve Guard, NH, to the 363rd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, authorize a vehicle to proceed through an entry control point during a sand storm on April 7, 2003. The 363rd ESFS members work around the clock performing force protection measures, air base defense, and protecting personnel in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom at a forward deployed location in Southwest Asia. rlw/AFIE/Matthew Hannen UPI

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NAV2003041002 - NAJAF, Iraq, April 8 (UPI) -- Jubilant Iraqis cheer U.S. Army Soldiers at a humanitarian aid compound in the city of Najaf, on April 8, 2003. The U.S. military is working with international relief organizations to help provide food and medicine for the Iraqi people in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. rlw/U.S. Navy/Arlo K. Abrahamson UPI.

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NIP2003040802 - CHAMCHAAL, IRAQ, April 8 (UPI) -- Dara Ali, who works for M.A.G (Mine Advisory Group) an International UK Based organization, marks and disengages mines near the city of Chamchaal left by Iraqi army soldiers before going back to Kirkuk in Northern Iraq..mk/Ali Khaligh UPI.

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