Timeline of Iraq war By dantonucci2 Mar 19, 2003 Bush launches invasion of Iraq Dec 13, 2003 In a "spider hole" near Tikrit, Saddam Hussein is captured by U.S. troops. He surrenders without a fight. Sep 7, 2004 1,000 U.S troops killed Oct 15, 2005 Iraqi constitution ratified Oct 19, 2005 Saddam Hussein's trial begins. He's accused of war crimes against humanity for the ordered killings of 143 Shiites in Dujail in 1982. Oct 26, 2005 2,000 U.S troops killed Dec 15, 2005 First palialmentary election in Iraq Jun 7, 2006 Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq, is killed during a U.S. air strike. Dec 30, 2006 Saddam Hussein is executed by hanging after being found guilty of crimes against humanity. Jan 10, 2007 President Bush addresses the nation, saying the situation in Iraq is unacceptable, and announces the "troop surge." Jun 10, 2007 U.S troops include Sunnis in new strategy Mar 23, 2008 4,000 U.S troops killed Jan 5, 2009 dedicated in Baghdad Jun 30, 2009 U.S Troop withdraw from cities Dec 15, 2011 End of war