Rep. Ilhan Omar Ilhan OmarOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Trump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' Democrats scramble on COVID-19 relief amid division, Trump surprise MORE (D-Minn.) issued a barrage of criticism about the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 on Wednesday, which marked the 16th anniversary of the start of one of America's longest-running armed conflicts.

In a series of tweets, the Minnesota congresswoman labeled the George W. Bush administration's invasion of Iraq "illegal" and called for those involved in the explanation and lead up to the war to be held accountable.

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"16 years ago the U.S. illegally invaded Iraq, leaving a trail of destruction and lives lost," Omar tweeted. "4,496 U.S. troops lost their lives. 100,000+ Iraqi civilians [were] killed."

"We must hold accountable those who repeatedly lied in the run-up to war," she added, citing specific statements about alleged weapons of mass destruction including biological weapons, none of which were ever found, that were made by President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

"All of these statements were not only false, they were known by intelligence agencies to be lies at the time. To this day they have not been held accountable," Omar wrote.

16 years ago the U.S. illegally invaded Iraq, leaving a trail of destruction and lives lost. Here are the consequences:



⁃4,496 U.S. troops lost their lives

⁃100,000+ Iraqi civilians killed

⁃Ongoing regional instability

⁃Incalculable damage to U.S. reputation in the world — Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) March 20, 2019

We must hold accountable those who repeatedly lied in the run-up to war:



⁃In October 2002, President Bush said that Saddam Hussein had a "massive stockpile” of biological weapons. It was a lie. — Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) March 20, 2019

⁃Dick Cheney repeatedly cited a nonexistent meeting between a 9/11 conspirator and Iraqi intelligence. It was a lie.



⁃In August 2002, Cheney said, “Simply stated, there's no doubt that Saddam Hussein now has weapons of mass destruction.” That too was a lie. — Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) March 20, 2019

All of these statements were not only false, they were known by intelligence agencies to be lies at the time. To this day they have not been held accountable.https://t.co/BbNTQYPf7K — Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) March 20, 2019

Omar, who sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, is a vocal critic of U.S. policy in the Middle East, particularly toward the Israeli government.

In recent weeks she has found herself at the center of controversy over alleged anti-Semitic remarks appearing to question why she must show "loyalty" to Israel in order to serve on the Foreign Affairs panel.

The comments, along with others about Israel's influence in the U.S., have raised fury among Republicans and some Jewish organizations while earning condemnations from members of her own party.