August 2, 1990 — Iraq invades Kuwait, which Iraqi President Saddam Hussein had accused of overproducing oil and pushing prices down just when he needed oil revenues to recover from 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war. UN Security Council imposes trade embargo against Iraq and later authorises use of force to liberate Kuwait.

January 17, 1991 — US-led coalition launches air war against Iraq. Ground offensive begins the next month and Iraqi troops quickly overwhelmed.

February 26, 1991 — Kuwait liberated.

March 2, 1991 — UN Security Council lays down conditions, including destruction of Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction and reparations for Kuwait.

December 16, 1998 — UN weapons inspectors withdrawn from Iraq, which is accused of failing to co-operate with international attempt to find and destroy its nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programmes. Hours later, four days of US-British air and missile strikes on Baghdad begin.

December 17, 1999 — UN Security Council issues resolution creating new Iraqi disarmament commission.

January 27, 2000 — Iraq says it will not deal with new chief UN weapons inspector Hans Blix.

November 8, 2002 — UN Security Council unanimously approves resolution threatening Iraqi President Saddam Hussein with “serious consequences” if he does not disarm.

November 27, 2002 — UN experts begin work in Iraq under November 8 resolution.

December 7, 2002 — Iraq delivers to UN declaration denying it has weapons of mass destruction; later, US says declaration is untruthful and UN says it is incomplete.

March 7 — US, Britain and Spain propose ordering Saddam to give up banned weapons by March 17 or face war; other nations led by France on polarised UN Security Council oppose any new resolution that would authorise military action.

March 17 — US, Britain and Spain withdraw proposed resolution, saying time for diplomacy has run out. US President George W Bush declares Saddam must flee Iraq or face a US-led invasion.

March 18 — Iraq’s leadership rejects Bush’s ultimatum.

March 20 — US forces launched a surgical military strike against a “target of opportunity” near Baghdad early morning Baghdad time. White House announces, “The opening stages of the disarmament of the Iraqi regime have begun.”