The Iraq War began Process_start on 19 March 2003 , when the U.S. , joined Becoming_a_member by the U.K. and several coalition allies , launched Process_start a `` shock and awe '' bombing campaign .

According to U.S. President George W. Bush and U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair , the coalition aimed Aiming `` to disarm Removing Iraq of weapons of mass destruction , to end Process_end Saddam Hussein 's support Supporting for terrorism Terrorism , and to free Releasing the Iraqi people . ''

The U.S. , U.K. , and eleven other nations jointly expelled Removing Syrian ambassadors and diplomats from their territories .

This article covers the Afghan history between the Taliban 's conquest Conquering of Kabul and their establishing Creating of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan on 27 September 1996 , and the U.S. and U.K. invasion Attack of Afghanistan on 7 October 2001 : a period that was part of the Afghan civil war that had started Process_start in 1989 , and also part of the war ( in wider sense ) in Afghanistan that had started Process_start in 1978 .

In January 1988 , the group played Competition an eleven-date U.K. tour , which was followed by further dates in Europe beginning Process_start in Hamburg , West Germany in early February .