Iraq

The British 7th Armoured Brigade was tasked with capturing the southern city of Basrah, and this included the Irish Guards in Warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicles. After defeating Iraqi armour and surrounding the city it was captured in April. But there was ongoing resistance from insurgents loyal to Hussein, with regular sniping and ambushes, typical problems of urban warfare. Two Irish Guardsmen were killed by a sniper on 6th April. Baghdad was also captured, Hussein fled and was executed in 2006. Although the invasion had succeeded relatively easily, and in many places been met by cheering Iraqis, administering the country afterwards was to be a major problem. 

It was not long before resentment at the slow pace of reconstruction turned many against what became seen as foreign occupying forces. This was encouraged by the former regime elite, former soldiers, militias and the Al Queda Jihadi movement. There was also growing conflict between Sunni, Shia and Kurdish communities. In Basrah the British policy of winning over the population through restraint and building relations became less viable.  

Guards Regiments deployed to Iraq between 2004 and 2008 as part of the ongoing security operation, with the Coldstream Guards suffering 2 dead due to Improvised Explosive Devices in 2005 and the Irish Guards likewise in 2007.