On 17 March 2003, US President George W Bush gave Saddam Hussein and his sons 48 hours to leave Iraq or face war, saying the country's alleged weapons of mass destruction posed a security threat. Two days later the first air strikes on Baghdad began. Refugees stream from Basra in southern Iraq. The city was encircled by British forces on 22 March 2003 and humanitarian concerns for Basra residents grew when the city's utilities – including the water supply - were cut off. As US-led coalition troops pushed northwards, extremely fierce sand storms blew up on 25 March, slowing their advance. However, targeted air strikes on Baghdad continued, and violent bombing to the south of the...
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