Battle of Baghdad (2003)

The Battle of Baghdad, also known as the Fall of Baghdad, was a military engagement that took place in Baghdad in early April 2003, as part of the invasion of Iraq.

For the battle that began in 2006, see Battle of Baghdad (2006–2008). For other battles in Baghdad, see Battle of Baghdad (disambiguation).

Battle of Baghdad (2003)
Part of the invasion of Iraq

Statue of Saddam Hussein being toppled in Firdos Square
DateApril 3–9, 2003
(6 days)
Location
Baghdad, Iraq
Result

Coalition victory

  • Occupation of Baghdad by coalition forces
  • Saddam Hussein deposed
  • Fall of Ba'ath Party rule
Belligerents
  •  United States
  •  United Kingdom
  Iraq
Commanders and leaders
George W. Bush
Tommy Franks
David D. McKiernan
Tony Blair
Brian Burridge		 Saddam Hussein
Qusay Hussein
Saif Al-Din Al-Rawi
Ra'ad al-Hamdani
Strength
30,000 45,000
Casualties and losses
34 killed
1 A-10 Thunderbolt II shot down
2 Abrams tanks destroyed
17 vehicles destroyed		 1,700–2,120 killed (independent estimate)
2,320 killed (U.S. military estimate)

Three weeks into the invasion of Iraq, Coalition Forces Land Component Command elements, led by the U.S. Army 3rd Infantry Division, captured Baghdad. Over 2,000 Iraqi soldiers as well as 34 coalition troops were killed in the battle. After the fall of Baghdad, Coalition forces entered the city of Kirkuk on April 10 and Tikrit on April 15, 2003. The United States officially declared victory against the Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein on April 15, and President George W. Bush gave his Mission Accomplished Speech on May 1.

Baghdad suffered serious damage to its civilian infrastructure, economy, and cultural inheritance from the battle and following unrest, including looting and arson. During the invasion, the Al-Yarmouk Hospital in south Baghdad saw a steady rate of about 100 new patients an hour.

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