Iraq: U.S. Military Operations

Publication Date: July 2007

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Military and defense

Type:

Coverage: Iraq

Abstract:

Iraq's chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons programs, together with Iraqi long-range missile development and support for Al Qaeda terrorism, were the primary justifications put forward for military action. On March 17, 2003, President Bush issued an ultimatum demanding that Saddam Hussein and his sons depart from Iraq within 48 hours. On March 19, offensive operations began with air strikes against Iraqi leadership positions. By April 15, after 27 days of operations, coalition forces were in relative control of all major Iraqi cities and Iraqi political and military leadership had disintegrated. On May 1, 2003, President Bush declared an end to major combat operations. There was no use of chemical or biological (CB) weapons, and no CB or nuclear weapons stockpiles or production facilities have been found.

The major challenges to coalition forces are now quelling a persistent Iraqi resistance movement and training sufficient Iraqi forces to assume responsibility for the nations domestic security. Though initially denying that there was an organized resistance movement, DOD officials have now acknowledged there is regional/local organization, with apparently ample supplies of arms and funding. CENTCOM commander General Abizaid, has characterized the Iraqi resistance as "a classical guerrilla-type campaign." DOD believes the resistance to comprise primarily former regime supporters and foreign fighters; however, others are concerned that growing resentment of coalition forces and resurgent Iraq nationalism, independent of connections with the earlier regime, are contributing to the resistance. According to DOD, as of January 16, 2006, 2,242 U.S. troops have died in Iraq operations, 1,761 owing to hostile fire. Of these hostile fire deaths, 1,397 have occurred since May 1, 2003. There have been 16,420 U.S. personnel wounded or injured since military operations began. Non-U.S. Coalition fatalities have totaled 201, while Iraqi security force fatalities are estimated to be 3,977.

There are currently about 153,000 U.S. troops in Iraq, and an additional 20,000 military support personnel in the region. This may be reduced by 7,000-8,000 troops in early 2006. About 21,000 non-U.S. troops are also in theater, with Britain Italy, and South Korea being the largest contributors. Other nations contributing troops include Albania, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Georgia (Gruzia), Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, and Slovakia. Some nations, including the Netherlands, Poland, and have indicated they will further reduce or withdraw their forces during 2006.

Through primarily supplemental appropriations, Congress has provided approximately $251 billion for Iraq military operations through FY2005, and has approved an additional emergency FY2006 "bridge fund" appropriation of $50 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan operations, pending an FY2006 supplemental appropriation request.

This report will be updated as events warrant.