The Invasion of Iraq began on March 20, 2003, when a coalition led by the United States launched military operations to overthrow the government of Saddam Hussein. The invasion was justified by claims that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction and posed a threat to global security. The military campaign quickly led to the fall of Baghdad and the capture of Hussein in December 2003. However, the aftermath of the invasion resulted in significant instability, leading to a prolonged conflict and the rise of insurgent groups, which complicated efforts to establish a stable government in Iraq.