The Gulf War Flashcards
1
Q
Long-Term Causes: Iran/Iraq War
A
- 1979, the Pro-US Shah of Iran is overthrown by a Shi’ite revolution. Iran wanted Iraq Shi’ites to revolt against the Sunni regime.
- 22 Aug 1980, Iraq invades Iran. The war lasts 8 years
- Iraq claimed victory but had a damaged economy ($230billion debt to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait)
2
Q
Long-Term Causes: Iraq and the West
A
- USA supported Saddam Hussein’s government, with $3 billion in trades annually
- France provided billions $ worth of technology
- Believed Hussein could become a moderate force in the region and could benefit US interests
3
Q
Long-Term Causes: Decline of the USSR
A
- USA stepped in to a void, and tried to create peace between Israel and Palestine. This influenced Arabian dislike of the USA.
4
Q
Short-Term Causes: Western Support of Iraq decreased
A
- Concerns surrounding human rights issues
- March 1990, British journalist is executed for ‘spying’
- Iraq was buying technology for weapons of mass destruction and threatening to use it against Israel
5
Q
Short-Term Causes: Iraq’s Economic Crisis
A
- Feb 1990, Iraq told Egypt and Jordan to inform Kuwait of its desire to have its debt cancelled and for Iraq to have a $30billion loan
- Kuwait were rumoured to purposefully lowered oil prices (by increasing its supply) so Iraq had a lower national income.
6
Q
Immediate Causes
A
- 2 Aug 1990, Iraqi forces invade Kuwait:
- Meant Iraq had a higher level of influence and Arab states were angered
- 8 Aug 1990, US + Arab forces arrive on the Saudi-Kuwait border
- Peace settlement: Hussein’s proposals were extreme and he rejected all others
- 15 Jan 1991, 550,000 were on the border, with 370,00 being from 37 other countries
7
Q
War: Operation Desert Storm
A
- 29 Nov 1990, UN approves forceful removal of Iraq from 16 Jan onwards
- 16 Jan 1991, Operation Desert Shield becomes Op Desert Storm
- Two parts to Op Deser Storm: 1. Bombings on Iraqi military instillation (100,000 sorties). 2. Ground Campaign from 24 Feb
8
Q
War: Nature of Fighting
A
- New Technology (US):
- Precision Ground missiles (accounted for 75% of useful missions despite only being 9% of missiles used)
- Night vision devices
- Global Positioning System (GPS, better navigation)
- Stealth technology
9
Q
War: Aerial
A
- US had superiority with B-52 bombers (could make a 15hr round trip, 89% of its missiles/bombs hit their target + had thermal imaging and laser designation systems)
- Around 90,000 tonnes of bombs were dropped
- Coalition bombed command/communication facilities and weaponry facilities e.g SCUD launchers
- Air superiority was achieved within days
10
Q
War: Land
A
- Coalition technology: US M1A1 and British Challenger tanks could move and shoot (Iraqi tanks could not), GPS and night vision
- Emphasised close integration with air ops
10
Q
War: Important Dates
A
- 24 Feb AM: US + Saudi forces advance into Kuwait/US + French forces attack Salman airfield
- 24 Feb PM: VII Corp (3 armoured divisions + 1 US Infantry div + 1 British Armoured Div) attack into Iraq
- 25-26 Feb: Coalition closes in on Kuwait City, forces in Iraq move into Kuwait
- 27 Feb: Iraqi forces surrender, Biden announces liberation of Kuwait
10
Q
War: Important Dates
A
- 24 Feb AM: US + Saudi forces advance into Kuwait/US + French forces attack Salman airfield
- 24 Feb PM: VII Corp (3 armoured divisions + 1 US Infantry div + 1 British Armoured Div) attack into Iraq
- 25-26 Feb: Coalition closes in on Kuwait City, forces in Iraq move into Kuwait
- 27 Feb: Iraqi forces surrender, Biden announces liberation of Kuwait
11
Q
War: Naval
A
- US and British supplied
- Enforced UN embargo
- Supported air campaign (carried F-14 Tomcats and fired Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles)
- Iraqi navy put up little resistance
12
Q
Reasons for Coalition Victory: Timing
A
- Modernized weaponry, originally planned for Cold War
- West was at full strength due to Cold War
13
Q
Reasons for Coalition Victory: Quality of Technology
A
- US superiority:
- Able to fight at night (night vision)
- Smart bombs (laser guided)
- State-of-the-art tanks + aircraft
14
Q
Reasons for Coalition Victory: Saddam Hussein’s Errors
A
- Miscalculated US willingness for war
- Underestimated air warfare
- Withheld key units to protect his regime
14
Q
Reasons for Coalition Victory: Saddam Hussein’s Errors
A
- Miscalculated US willingness for war
- Underestimated air warfare
- Withheld key units to protect his regime
15
Q
Results of Iraq War: Casualties
A
- 111 US troops and 38 British troops killed in combat
- 35 US and 9 British troops killed due to friendly fire
- 35 US and 1 British troops killed due to accidents
- 37 Arab (but not Kuwaiti) troops killed
- Estimated 10,000 to 20,000 Iraqi troops killed
- 1,000 to 15,000 civilian deaths
16
Q
Results of Gulf War: Physical Damage
A
- To Iraq:
- Loss of power, water and sanitation facilities (“relegated to pre-industrial age” according to a UN report)
- To Kuwait:
- Damage to oil fields
- Loss of foreign investment (estimated $30billion)
17
Q
Results of Gulf War: Environmental Damage
A
- Iraq was accused of dumping 400million gallons of crude oil into Persian Gulf (killed thousands of seabirds and marine animals)
- Iraq set alight 600 Kuwaiti Oil wells (“Some five million gallons of oil a day, worth about $100mil, were going up in flames” - J.G. Stoessinger)
18
Q
Results of Gulf War: Political Effects (Iraq)
A
- Kurds in the North, Shia in the South rebel (brutally crushed by Hussein)
- USA and Britain declare a ‘no-fly’ zone over Iraq
- April, UN Security Council passes Resolution 687 stating that Iraq has to be open about WMD for sanctions to be lifted (including a ban on Iraqi oil)
- Infant mortality trebled and life expectancy fell by 15-20 years
- Hussein remained in power until 2003 (US Invasion)
19
Q
Results of Iraq War: Political Effects (USA and the Middle East)
A
- Highlighted a new world order (USA would play a dominant part in dealing with world problems)
- USA became more prevalent in the region. This (+ the war) meant radicals became more hostile towards the West (was a catalyst for 9/11 attacks and US invasions of Iraq)
- No move to democracy apart from Kuwait’s Male only National Assembly
