Background

Iraq gained independence from Britain in 1932 and after the monarchy was overthrown in 1958 it became ruled under the control of the Baath (Renaissance) Party. Saddam Hussein rose to presidency in 1979 and continued to lead a brutal regime over the Iraqi people until his recent downfall in April 2003. Hussein's committed widespread human rights atrocities and thousands suffered under his regime. The country has wide ethnic divisions which have in the past led to many tensions and blood letting between rival groups. A large area in the north of Iraq is mainly occupied by Kurds who have autonomy in this area. However, tensions between the Kurds in the north and the Arabs in Iraq have always been high and in 1988 these tensions reach breaking point when Iraqi forces launched an attack against the Kurds killing thousands of civilians and forcing thousands more into exile. The same year a poison gas attack killed thousands of Kurdish civilians near the town of Halabjah. The Hussein regime was blamed for the attack, though it never claimed  responsibility for the atrocity. Soon after this in 1990 Iraq invaded Kuwait, prompting international intervention and the start of the first Gulf War, which was resolved in 1991 after a ceasefire was agreed upon.
 
Recent Event

In March 2003 a campaign led by the US was launched to topple Saddam Hussein resulting from Hussein's failure to comply with UN weapons inspections. In April US troops had taken Baghdad and toppled Hussein’s regime. With the sudden downfall of the regime a power vacuum emerged and the city was plunged into chaos, resulting in widespread looting. The war left thousands of civilians dead and thousands more injured. Thousands have been left homeless and displaced by the war and are forced to live in squalled conditions with poor amenities, such as access to clean water. The looting and chaos also further damaged infrastructure and general utilities. The situation in Iraq is still very unstable, the death toll rises every day, among Iraqis and coalition forces and NGO workers, as a result of armed fighting or terrorist bombings.

In August 2003 a car bomb hit the UN headquarters in Baghdad killing 18 people, including the UN special representative to Iraq, Sergio Vieira De Mello. Another major disaster occurred in March 2004 with the bombing of a hotel in central Baghdad, killing 27 and injuring many more. Insecurity continues to slow down the stabilization and reconstruction of Iraq. The UN Assistance Mission to Iraq (UNAMI) established in August 2003, gives the UN a vital role in this in the reconstruction process.

The Coalition Forces are set to hand over authority to the Iraqi interim government on June 30.
+ READ MORE ABOUT THE HANDOVER

Last Updated May25, 2004

United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI)

Other Documents:

Action Alert: The prisoner Abuse in Iraq is Sickening. The U.S. must be above torture. Act Now: Tell you leaders the U.S. must be above torture
Citizens for Global Solutions

"Iraq: A strategy for Progress", Center for American Progress

"Post-Conflict Lessons of Iraq and Afghanistan", Anthony H. Cordesman, Center for Strategic and International Studies. Testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, May 19, 2004

"Bush Plan for Iraq: A Risk Assessment", Center for Strategic and International Studies, May 25, 2004