Gulf wars Flashcards
reasons for Saddam’s invasion 1990
economic problems - he blamed Kuwait for the slump in oil prices
Saddam tried to gain Arab support
in 1990 by insisting that Israel should withdraw from Occupied territories
Operation Desert Shield
Iraq bombed Israel, trying to get them to join
ground attack quickly drove Iraq out of Kuwait
ceasefire 1991
US didn’t topple Saddam so as not to anger arabs
Iraq to withdraw, pay reparations and accept “no-fly zones”
UN sanctions imposed until WMDs found and destroyed
1997
weapons inspectors were forced to leave Iraq
1998
US/UK bombing of Iraq began
anti-western feeling
increased in ME - Saddam gained further support from Arab states
9/11
heightened US distrust of Arab/Islamic world
2003
US and UK invaded and toppled Saddam, but no clear plan of what should follow
Iraqis began insurgency against occupying forces, which lasted until withdrawal in 2011
