The U.S. invasion of Iraq began on March 20, 2003, when American forces, along with a coalition of allies, launched a military operation aimed at toppling the regime of Saddam Hussein. The invasion was justified by the U.S. government on the grounds that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction and posed a threat to global security. The initial phase of the invasion quickly led to the fall of Baghdad and the capture of Saddam Hussein in December 2003. However, the aftermath of the invasion resulted in a prolonged conflict, with ongoing violence and instability in Iraq, raising questions about the effectiveness and consequences of the military intervention.