Iraq War

War in 2003 between Iraq and an international coalition led by the USA and the UK. The conflict arose over issues surrounding the disarmament process accepted by Iraq as part of peace terms concluding the 1991 Gulf War, and over Iraq's alleged support for international terrorism. The Iraqi regime, led by Saddam Hussein, collapsed when coalition troops reached the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, in April 2003. However, resistance to the US military presence in Iraq continued, led by mainly Sunni Muslim insurgents. National democratic elections were held in January 2005, resulting in the emergence of the United Iraqi Alliance – a coalition of Shiah-led parties – as the largest political grouping, and the loss by the the Sunni minority of its privileged position as the traditional ruling elite.