Iraqis remember Colin Powell's role in devastating 2003 US-led invasion

The death of Colin Powell on Monday was met with regret by Iraqis who wanted to see the former US Secretary of State stand trial for his role in the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Iraq was plunged into years of conflict and instability following the 2003 invasion, with hundreds of thousands of Iraqis killed by sectarian militias, Islamist extremists, and US and Iraqi government air and ground strikes.

Muntadher Alzaidi, the man who in 2008 threw his shoes at then-US President George Bush, who led the US's drive to war on Iraq, told The New Arab that he was saddened that Powell was not held accountable "for his crimes against humanity in Iraq".

I am saddened by the death of Colin Powell without being tried for his crimes in Iraq .. But I am sure that the court of God will be waiting for him

حزنت على وفاة كولن باول دون أن يحاكم على جرائمه في العراق .. لكنني على يقين من أن محكمة الله ستنتظره.#colin_powell pic.twitter.com/rZkbuJpUco

— Muntadher Alzaidi (@muntazer_zaidi) October 18, 2021

On social media, one Twitter user described Powell as "one of the well-known criminals in the US administration", saying that he "fabricated lies for Iraq regarding weapons of mass destruction before the United Nations, thus paving the way for the aggression that destroyed a pivotal Arab Muslim country".

"He was one of the main reasons for what Iraq is in today," another Twitter user said.

مات #كولن_باول، أحد المجرمين المعروفين في الإدارة الأميركية، الذي لفق الأكاذيب ل #العراق فيما يتعلق بأسحلة الدمار الشامل، أمام الأمم المتحدة، ليمهد بذلك للعدوان الذي دمر دولة عربية مسلمة محورية، لم تقم بعد من آثار ذلك العدوان. pic.twitter.com/cZ9kuAIUX8

— Maryame Mohammed (@RaMaryame) October 18, 2021

Powell, who died from Covid-19 complications at the age of 84 and had cancer gave an infamous speech in February 2003 to the United Nations Security Council about the alleged existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, when he was Secretary of State.

His allegations were later proven to be false and he went on to express regret for the speech.

نفوق وزير الخارجية الاميركي الاسبق #كولن_باول بسبب مضاعفات مرض #كورونا.
اللهم إنه كان من أهم أسباب ماوصل له #العراق اليوم، اللهم عليك به وبمن سانده وأيده وشاركه وساهم معه. pic.twitter.com/TgO5clTxDf

— سيف صلاح الهيتي (@saifsalahalhety) October 18, 2021