Iran - Iraq War: 1980 - 1988 Flashcards

1
Q

Causes

A

Iranian Revolution
-Islamic fundamentalist movement begins (Shah overthrown by Ayatollah Khomeini) and threatens Saddam Hussein who feels that the movement will spread to Iraq

-Khomeini calls for Iran to overthrow Hussein as part of religious movement

Iraq wants superiority in Persian Gulf

  • dispute over Shatt al-Arab (waterway)
  • conflicts over oil
  • religious diff: Iran = Shi’a while Iraq = Sunni
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2
Q

Practices

A

Attrition and chemical warfare

  • Khomeini’s human wave: high death toll
  • Hussein’s chemical usage against Iranians/Kurds
  • bombing/attacking civilians
  • “Holy War” (Islamic fundamentalists)
  • guerrilla warfare
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3
Q

Iraq invaded Iran…

A

Sep. 22 1980

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4
Q

International support

A
  • Iraq supported by both sides
  • US also supported Iran (not Khomeini bc prefer Shah) but sell weapons to Iran by smuggling through Nicaragua (IRAN CONTRA AFFAIR)
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5
Q

Results

A

Nobody wins
Extensive bloodshed/damage to environment
Khomeini soon dies, relations bw US/Iran still peaceful
Bad oil production

HUSSEIN:

  • remains in power
  • continues to suppress Kurds
  • invades Kuwait w/ US weapons
  • begins nuclear program
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6
Q

END

A

‘88: clear that Iran losing

UN declared ceasefire, uses Peacekeeper

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