Umm Qasr March 21, 2003

Umm Qasr March 21, 2003

A U.S. Marine raises the American and Marine flag at the entrance to Iraq’s main port of Umm Qasr March 21, 2003.

Marines briefly raised the Stars and Stripes after facing tougher than expected resistance in and around the southern Iraq port. Some time later, the flag was removed. No reason was given for the decision, but Washington has consistently stressed that invading U.S. forces want to liberate Iraq, not occupy it

Photo by Desmond Boylan/Reuters