[Business Insider] In early 2002, the US decided to invade Iraq and topple Saddam Hussein and his brutal regime.
Sketchy claims of weapons of mass destruction notwithstanding, the Iraqi military was a potent adversary and one of the largest armies in the world. The US-led Coalition opted to invade from the south and head north toward Bagdad.
As the defender, the Iraqis had the advantage, so US planners sought to divide Iraqi forces with a feint from the north, which meant working with the semi-autonomous Kurds. |