Former US president George W. Bush says he remains "comfortable" with the decision to invade Iraq, even as a new spate of bloody violence hit the country and rocked politics in Baghdad. Bush told ABC News in an interview marking the opening of his presidential library on Thursday that it was up to history to judge the invasion of Iraq in 2003, prompted by fears of weapons of mass destruction that were never found.

Clashes between Iraqi security forces and protesters killed 27 people on Tuesday, the deadliest showdown since Sunnis took to the streets four months ago calling for the Shiite premier to resign. High-ranking Iraqi army officers said the demonstration near the northern town of Hawijah was infiltrated by militants but a protest organiser said no one wanted by security forces was present.

The 9/11 terrorist attacks on US soil were a traumatic experience for the country. The subsequent invasion of Afghanistan, where the attack originated with al Qaeda intent on starting a jihad against the United States, was at the time considered by many countries as an understandable response.

Exactly 10 years after U.S. tanks and armored personnel carriers entered the Firdous Square in central Baghdad and toppled the statue of former leader Saddam Hussein, Iraqis still suffer from the lack of security and stability nationwide due to endless political crises that engulfed the country.Ten years on, when Iraqis recall the day of regime change, some are happy with cautious hope while many are sad with fears of an unknown future.Firdous Square, now heavily armed by security forces, is no longer a symbol of Saddam, who was executed in December 2006.