Did the invasion of Iraq turn some people to Al-Qaeda?

1. Did the invasion of Iraq turn some people to Al-Qaeda?

2. Objectives In this activity you will: • Learn how invasion changed Iraq. • Decide whether Iraq was a better place after the removal of Saddam Hussein.

3. Why invade Iraq? • On 20 March 2003, a coalition of forces led by the USA began the invasion of Iraq. • President Bush claimed that the aim of the war was to ‘disarm Iraq of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), to end Saddam Hussein’s support for terrorism and to free the Iraqi people.’

4. What was the result of the invasion? • The Iraqi regime collapsed quickly and the main military campaign was over by 1 May. • The American military had planned the invasion well, but plans for the occupation were poor. • Inexperienced Americans sometimes found themselves in charge of whole Iraqi ministries. • The Iraqi army was disbanded, but there were too few coalition soldiers to keep law and order.

5. What was the result of the invasion? • Looting and corruption became major problems. • The coalition was not helped by the fact that two of Bush’s claims for going to war were discredited. • No WMD were ever found, and it was proved that there had never been any co-operation between Saddam and terrorists like Al-Qaeda.

6. Why did the invasion turn some Iraqis to Al-Qaeda? • In the absence of strong central government, and occupied by unpopular foreign troops, Iraqi groups competed for power. • The Kurds in the north hoped for self-government.

7. Why did the invasion turn some Iraqis to Al-Qaeda? • The majority Shia Muslims, persecuted by Saddam Hussein, turned for protection to religious militia leaders. • Some of the Sunni Muslim minority, deprived of the power they had enjoyed under Saddam, joined Al-Qaeda.

8. To get you thinking… • Why did the invasion of Iraq cause controversy? • What proof is there that the US-led coalition thought this would be an easy invasion? • Did the US-led coalition really give Iraqis their freedom? (Hint: even freedom to oppose the USA?) • Why did the invasion lead to more people supporting Al-Qaeda than before the invasion? • In your view, was the invasion a success?

9. What did the US-led coalition do that could have turned people to Al-Qaeda? • The reasons given for invasion turned out to be untrue. • WMD were found shortly after the invasion. • Kurds, Shias and Sunnis were treated equally. • Without Saddam’s control, different Iraqi groups competed for power. • US Marines placed US flags in important places – giving the impression this was an invasion. • Suicide bombers were used by Al-Qaeda.

10. Was the invasion of Iraq a success? • Al-Qaeda had more members after the invasion than before. • Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship was removed. • Membership of militias decreased. • US troops were able to withdraw quickly after the invasion. • Democratic elections were able to take place. • Suicide bombings stopped in 2010. • Conflict between Sunni and Shia Muslims stopped.

11. Was the invasion of Iraq a success? • Discuss the above question, remembering to look at all sides of the argument and be prepared to put forward a well-supported judgement to the rest of the group.