The capture of Baghdad by U.S. troops marked a significant turning point in the Iraq War, which began in March 2003 with the aim of dismantling Saddam Hussein's regime. As coalition forces advanced towards the capital, they encountered various levels of resistance but ultimately utilized superior technology and strategy to gain ground swiftly. Baghdad's fall on April 7, 2003, followed weeks of intense fighting and was met with jubilation from some residents, while many others faced uncertainty and fear about the future. The city, historically rich and strategically important, became the center of military operations as coalition forces aimed to establish control over Iraq.

The military tactics employed during the Baghdad campaign included aerial bombardments and ground assaults, which demonstrated the effectiveness of joint military operations. Coalition forces, composed primarily of U.S. and British troops, aimed not only to overthrow Saddam Hussein but also to create a peacekeeping force to manage the aftermath of conflict. Two days after the capture of Baghdad, the Ba'ath party's control effectively collapsed, leading to the arrest of many key officials and the ultimate capture of Saddam Hussein later that year. The political vacuum left by the regime's fall plunged Iraq into chaos, with sectarian violence and insurgency erupting in the following years.

Following the fall of Baghdad, various factions vied for power, leading to instability that would last well beyond the immediate end of major combat operations. The implications of the invasion and subsequent regime change influenced U.S. foreign policy and military strategy for years to come, as well as the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. This moment not only altered Iraq's governance but also had lasting effects on regional dynamics, particularly in relation to terrorism and international relations.