21st Anniversary of Iraq's Liberation: The Fall of the Ba'athist Regime

PUKMEDIA

The fall of Saddam Hussein's statue in Baghdad.

Today, Wednesday, 9 April 2025, marks the 21st anniversary of Iraq’s liberation from the now-defunct Ba'athist dictatorship. On this day in 2003, multinational forces entered Baghdad and other Iraqi cities, freeing them from the grip of Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath regime, which had ruled Iraq for over three decades following a military coup.

Iraqis will never forget the image of Abu Tahsin al-Salihi, who struck the image of the fallen tyrant with his shoes, symbolising the definitive end of the Ba'athist era.

The Iraq Liberation Operation commenced on 20th March 2003, led by US-led multinational forces, with American and British military personnel comprising 98% of the troops involved.

Several key factors prompted the multinational forces to undertake this action:

1. Saddam Hussein's regime repeatedly failed to implement UN resolutions, particularly regarding the operation of weapons inspection teams in Iraq.

2. The regime continued to develop and maintain "weapons of mass destruction," and failed to cooperate fully with the UN on the disclosure of its weapons arsenal.

3. Saddam Hussein’s regime maintained links with al-Qaeda and other "terrorist" organisations, posing a threat to global security.

4. The promotion of democratic ideals across the Middle East.

On 20th March 2003, military operations began, with US military leaders relying on the element of surprise. It had been anticipated that the ground campaign would follow an air campaign, as seen in the Second Gulf War, but the surprise came in the form of a simultaneous, rapid launch of both campaigns, dubbed "shock and awe." American tanks advanced into the Iraqi desert, bypassing major cities to avoid urban combat. However, on 27th March 2003, sandstorms slowed the US forces' rapid advance, and they encountered strong resistance from the former Iraqi army near Al-Kifl, close to Najaf and Kufa.

British forces besieged Basra for two weeks before storming the city. A fierce tank battle destroyed 14 Iraqi tanks, and Basra was captured on 27th March 2003. By 9th April 2003, Iraqi forces had collapsed in Amarah.

Three weeks after the operation began, US forces began their advance toward Baghdad. Initially, it was expected that American armoured units would besiege Baghdad and engage in street fighting, supported by air strikes. On 5th April 2003, a group of US armoured vehicles, including 29 tanks and 14 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, launched an assault on Baghdad International Airport, facing heavy resistance from the Iraqi army units defending it.

On 7th April 2003, another armoured force attacked the Republican Palace and succeeded in establishing a foothold within the palace. Hours later, Iraqi resistance completely collapsed.

On 9th April 2003, US forces declared control over most areas, with news reports showing scenes of a small crowd attempting to topple a statue of Saddam Hussein in front of the Sheraton Hotel.

By the afternoon of 9th April 2003, residents had gathered in Firdaws Square, with numbers eventually swelling into the dozens, while Iraqi authorities were nowhere to be seen. US tanks began surrounding the square from multiple directions at 4:00 PM, and Firdaws Square became a historic site on that day, witnessing the fall of Saddam Hussein’s statue and signalling the end of his rule and the collapse of his fascist party.



PUKMEDIA