Lead up to Operation Iraqi Freedom

Iraq invades Kuwait, prompting what becomes known as the first Gulf War. A massive US-led military campaign forces Iraq to withdraw in February 1991.

Iraq subjected to weapons inspection program.

1998 October - Iraq ends cooperation with UN weapon inspectors.

1998 December - US and Britain launch a bombing campaign, "Operation Desert Fox", to destroy Iraq's weapon programs

The September 11 attacks were a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks launched by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda upon the United States in New York City and the Washington, D.C

2002 September - US President George W Bush tells world leaders at UN to confront the "grave and gathering danger" of Iraq - or stand aside as the US acts.

2002 November - UN weapons inspectors return to Iraq

2003 March - Chief weapons inspector Hans Blix reports that Iraq has increased its cooperation but says inspectors need more time to verify Iraq's compliance.

2003 March - US-led invasion topples Saddam Hussein's government, marks start of years of violent conflict with different groups competing for power.