The War on Iraq took place from March to April 2003 and saw US forces, with support from allies the UK and Australia, defeat the ruling Baathist regime. The war had twin objectives. The US administration talked of “regime change”. The coalition of forces also assessed that Saddam Hussein was capable of launching weapons of mass destruction against the West. After a swift military campaign, Baghdad fell to US forces on April 8, and on May 1 President George W. Bush declared the war over.