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The Iraq War 20 Years On

For the latest episode of 5 Minutes On, our international editor Jeremy Bowen travels through Iraq and reports on the legacy and consequences of the 2003 invasion.

The rise and fall of the terrorist group known as Islamic State was part of an unfolding catastrophe that engulfed Iraq and was felt right across the Middle East. The conditions that led to its rise bring us back to this day 20 years ago – to March 20th 2003 and the invasion of Iraq by the UK and US.

But many argue they hadn't worked out how they were going to replace Saddam Hussein's regime. In the end, a system was imposed that turned sectarian and ethnic groups against each other – and led to the rise of jihadism and Islamic State.

For the latest episode of 5 Minutes On, our International Editor Jeremy Bowen travels through Iraq and reports on the legacy and consequences of the invasion.

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9 minutes