Iraq: A Quarter Century Of US Intervention

As Barack Obama threatens airstrikes in Iraq, Sky News looks at a quarter century of US military intervention in the country.

In his announcement, Mr Obama said the airstrikes, if needed, would stop the advance of Islamist militants and prevent what he called a "genocide" of minorities.

He became the fourth consecutive US President to authorise military action in the Middle East country. Here is what his predecessors did:

:: DESERT STORM

Coalition troops moved within 150 miles of Baghdad before withdrawing

The first Iraq war was launched by the US in response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, which began on August 2, 1990.

Saddam Hussein's move brought economic sanctions by the UN Security Council and widespread international condemnation.

George HW Bush put together a wide coalition and launched Operation Desert Storm in January 1991 to expel Iraqi troops from Kuwait.

The coalition troops also entered Iraqi territory but declared a ceasefire before entering Baghdad or toppling Saddam Hussein.

The ceasefire took effect in April.

:: DESERT FOX

Bill Clinton said Iraq failed to comply with international obligations

In 1998 President Bill Clinton ordered the bombing of specific targets to reduce Saddam's capability to make and use weapons of mass destruction.

The US accused Iraq of failing to comply with UN resolutions and obstructing the work of UN weapons inspectors.

Operation Desert Fox, supported by Britain, began on December 6 and lasted three days.

:: IRAQI FREEDOM

George W Bush's decision to invade Iraq split the international community

The US-led invasion of Iraq was ordered by George W Bush in March 2003 in one of the most controversial moves in recent history.

Mr Bush, who had already launched a war in Afghanistan in the aftermath of 9/11, said Saddam had weapons of mass destruction – a claim that was subsequently discredited. British prime minister Tony Blair emerged as Mr Bush's main ally.

Baghdad fell in April 2003 and in May that year Mr Bush famously announced the end of major combat operations from a US aircraft carrier in front of a banner that said "Mission Accomplished". Saddam was captured on December 13, 2003.

But since then, violent conflict between Iraqi insurgents and US forces, and among different factions within Iraq, have claimed thousands of lives.

The last US troops left Iraq in 2011.

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