U.S.-led Iraq war ushered in years of chaos and conflict

FILE PHOTO: A general view of Tahrir square as demonstrators take part during the ongoing anti-government protests in Baghdad, Iraq November 5, 2019. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah/File Photo

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq was meant to topple a dictator who had inflicted reckless wars and economic misery on his fellow Iraqis, and then to usher in a thriving democracy.

Instead, Iraqis faced years of upheaval and chaos.