Though a recent report suggests that a slew of projects have been abandoned or have failed, Iraq continues its reconstruction efforts. Here are some photographs documenting damage incurred over the last seven years.
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After seven years, U.S. forces officially terminated their combat role in Iraq this week.
"We have persevered because of a belief we share with the Iraqi people — a belief that out of the ashes of war, a new beginning could be born in this cradle of civilization," U.S. President Barack Obama said in a live televised address Tuesday evening.
"Through this remarkable chapter in the history of the United States and Iraq, we have met our responsibilities. Now, it's time to turn the page."
Though a recent report suggests that a slew of projects have been abandoned or have failed, Iraq continues with its reconstruction efforts in the wake of the 2003 U.S. invasion. Here are some snapshots documenting damage in Iraq during the last seven years.
Abu Nawas
Abu Nawas Street in Baghdad lies empty on March 20, 2003. Iraqis moved indoors after U.S. President George W. Bush set a deadline for his demand that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein leave the country. ((Jerome Delay/Associated Press))
On April 17, 2010, young children play in Abu Nawas park. A reconstruction effort in the area began in 2007 and it became home to bustling markets and galleries. In January 2010, buildings along the street suffered severe damage when car bombs detonated outside three hotels. ((Karim Kadim/Associated Press))
Firdos Square
A U.S. marine covers a statue of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in Baghdad on April 9, 2003. The statue was forcefully lowered, marking the fall of Baghdad to the United States. It was later revealed the event was not spontaneous, but directed largely by the U.S. Marine Corps, which brought in Iraqi children to cheer the statue's toppling. In 2008, Iraqis gathered in the square and tore down an effigy of U.S. President George W. Bush. ((Goran Tomasevic/Reuters))
Firdos square in April 2010: Shortly after the Saddam Hussein statue was brought down, it was replaced with a sculpture of an Iraqi family holding a crescent moon, seen in the photo's right side. ((Mohammed Ameen/Reuters))
The Golden Mosque
The Golden Mosque, a Shia shrine in Samarra, north of Baghdad, is seen on June 14, 2007. The mosque, which was built in 944, was bombed in February 2006 and again in June 2007. ((Sabah al-Bazee/Reuters))
Construction efforts continue on the Golden Mosque on Feb. 22, 2009. Shia pilgrims marked the anniversary of the 2006 bombing by bringing a banner to the shrine that read 'Peace be upon Imam Askari,' one of the Shia imams buried there. ((Sabah al-Bazee/Reuters))
North of Baghdad
The region north of Baghdad, as seen in a Google Earth satellite photograph taken Dec. 11, 2002, shows a series of low-level buildings. ((NASA/Google Earth))
The same series of buildings had extensive damage on Sept. 26, 2003. ((NASA/Google Earth))
Nearly two years later, the buildings remained in ruins. This is Google Earth's most recent photograph taken in this region. ((NASA/Google Earth))
Taji
A group of buildings near Taji, north of Baghdad, stands intact in a Google Earth satellite photo taken Dec. 11, 2002. ((NASA/Google Earth))
A photo taken Sept. 26, 2003, shows damage to three of the buildings' roofs. Taji became home to a U.S. military base that year. More than 1,100 Iraqis now work at the base. ((NASA/Google Earth))
