We explain what the Gulf War was, its background and results. We also explain the UN resolutions on the conflict.
An international alliance led by the United States intervened in the Gulf War against Iraq.
What was the Gulf War?
The Gulf War (1990–1991), also called the “Second Gulf War” (while the “first” refers to the Iran–Iraq War of 1980–1988), was an international military conflict involving several countries. The conflict began when Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein accused Kuwait of overproducing oil.causing its price to fall and exploiting the Rumaila oil reserves, which were located on the Iraqi side of the border.
In 1990, Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait and occupied the country.. Fearing for oil reserves, the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom joined forces against Iraq and intervened directly in the conflict, each in defence of its own interests. In turn, the United Nations (UN) demanded the withdrawal of Iraqi troops.
Allied foreign troops attacked the Iraqis by air, land and sea. Through the famous “Operation Desert Storm” campaign, they managed to penetrate Iraq and obtain Hussein’s surrender in 1991.
As a result of the war, It is estimated that more than one hundred thousand people diedMost of the dead were Iraqi soldiers, but civilian fatalities in Iraq and Kuwait are estimated at fifteen thousand.
Background to the Gulf War
In 1960, as part of the Asian decolonization process, the United Kingdom withdrew from the Middle East. Since then, Iraq claims Kuwait territory as its ownlocated in a space of great economic and political importance.
The third largest oil reserve in the world is located there and, in addition, its location makes Iraqi access to the Persian Gulf (the main oil trade route) difficult. On the other hand, the Iraqi economy was in decline and its economic resources were exhausted after the long war between Iran and Iraq. (1980-1988).
On April 17, 1990, Saddam Hussein (leader of Iraq) accused the government of Kuwait of overproducing oil and causing a fall in the price of oil that affected trade internationally. In addition, He denounced that Kuwaiti companies were exploiting oil fields in the Rumaila region, in Iraqi territory.. In the following months, different negotiations were carried out to avoid an armed conflict. Eventually, tensions led to an Iraqi attack.
Development of the Gulf War
In Operation Desert Storm, international forces bombed Iraq to force its withdrawal.
On August 2, 1990, 100,000 Iraqi soldiers crossed the border and invaded KuwaitOn August 8, Hussein declared the official annexation of the country. The next day, George W. Bush (the president of the United States) announced the dispatch of American troops to Saudi Arabia, one of its main allies in the Middle East, in order to assist it in the defence of its borders. At the same time, an international economic boycott was organised against the Iraqi economy with the support of the UN.
In the following months, international forces against Iraq continued to arrive. In total, it is estimated that 500,000 soldiers from the United States, 65,000 from Saudi Arabia, 43,000 from the United Arab Emirates and 35,000 from the United Kingdom participated in the conflict.
In November 1991, the UN Security Council issued an ultimatum and approved that member states “use the necessary means” to ensure Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait. In response to Iraqi refusal, on 15 January International allies began an intensive bombing campaign on Iraq known as “Operation Desert Storm”.
This facilitated the subsequent ground attack which began on 23 February and, in just four days, advanced into Iraqi territory. Finally, Hussein was forced to surrender and agreed to a ceasefire on 28 February 1991.
Gulf War Results
The Gulf War ended with the defeat of Iraq by the international allied forces. Iraq had to accept its pre-war territorial limits and Kuwait regained its independent status.
Hussein also had to agree to disarmament the weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles in his possession. Furthermore, in subsequent years he had to face different financial punishments.
It is estimated that as a result of the war, 110,000 Iraqi soldiers, 10,000 Iraqi civilians, 5,000 Kuwaiti civilians and 300 foreign forces soldiers were killed.. In addition, during the withdrawal of troops, Hussein ordered the burning of more than 700 oil wells in Kuwait, which generated an environmental disaster that affected the entire region.
UN actions on the Gulf War (1990-1991)
During the Gulf War, UN intervention played an important role in the course of events. In 1990, the UN issued a series of resolutions condemning the invasion of Kuwait and urging Iraq’s military forces to withdraw. Furthermore, through Resolution 661, it established the international political and economic blockade against Iraq. A few months later, through resolution 670, the UN authorized international troops to use “all necessary means” to achieve the surrender of Iraqi troops.
UN resolutions on the Gulf Conflict
Resolution 660 (1990), August 2, 1990
The Security Council
“Alarmed by the invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990 by Iraqi military forces,
Determining that, in connection with Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, there is a breach of international peace and security,
Acting in accordance with Articles 39 and 40 of the Charter of the United Nations,
1. Condemns Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait
2. Demands that Iraq immediately and unconditionally withdraw all its forces to the positions they occupied on 1 August 1990;
3. Urges Iraq and Kuwait to immediately begin intensive negotiations to resolve their differences and supports all efforts in this regard, especially those of the League of Arab States;
4. Decides to reconvene, as necessary, to consider further measures to ensure compliance with this resolution.“
Resolution 661 (1990), August 6, 1990
The Security Council
Reaffirming its resolution 660 (1990) of 2 August 1990,
“Deeply concerned that this resolution has not been implemented and that the destruction of life and property,
Determined to end Iraq’s invasion and occupation of Kuwait and to restore the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Kuwait,
Noting that the legitimate Government of Kuwait has expressed its readiness to comply with resolution 660 (1990),,
Conscious of its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations for the maintenance of international peace and security,
Affirming the inherent right of self-defense, individual or collective, in response to Iraq’s armed attack on Kuwait, in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter,
Acting in accordance with Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,
1. Determines that Iraq has so far failed to comply with paragraph 2 of resolution 660 (1990) and has usurped the authority of the legitimate Government of Kuwait;
2. Decides, accordingly, to take the following measures to ensure Iraq’s compliance with paragraph 2 of resolution 660 (1990) and to restore the authority of the legitimate Government of Kuwait:
3. Decides that all States shall prevent:
(a) the importation into their territories of all products originating in Iraq or Kuwait that are exported from them after the date of this resolution;
b) all activities by its nationals or in its territories that promote or are intended to promote the export or transshipment of any products or goods from Iraq or Kuwait, and any transactions by its nationals or by vessels of its flag or in its territories of products or goods originating in and exported from Iraq or Kuwait on or after the date of this resolution, including in particular any transfers of funds from Iraq or Kuwait to support such activities or transactions;
c) the sale or supply by its nationals or from its territories or through the use of ships flying its flags of any products or goods, including weapons and any other type of military equipment, originating or not in its territories, but excluding supplies intended strictly for medical purposes, and, in humanitarian circumstances, food, to any person or entity in Iraq or Kuwait, or to any person or entity in connection with any business conducted in or directed from Iraq or Kuwait, and any activities of its nationals whose purpose is to promote such sale or supply of those products or goods;
4. Decides that all States shall refrain from making available to the Government of Iraq or any commercial, industrial or public utility enterprise operating in Iraq or Kuwait any funds or other financial or economic resources and shall prevent their nationals and any persons in their territories from withdrawing from their territories or otherwise making available to that Government or any such enterprise any such funds or resources and from remitting any other funds to persons or entities in Iraq or Kuwait, with the sole exception of payments for strictly medical or humanitarian purposes and, in humanitarian circumstances, food:
5. Calls upon all States, including States that are not members of the United Nations, to act in strict accordance with the provisions of this resolution, regardless of any contract entered into or license granted before the date of this resolution ;
6. Decides to establish, in accordance with rule 28 of the provisional rules of procedure of the Security Council, a committee of the Security Council composed of all members of the Council to carry out the tasks indicated below and to report to the Council on its work and present to it observations and recommendations:
(a) To examine the reports on the implementation of this resolution to be submitted to the Secretary-General by:
b) Obtain from all States further information on the measures they adopt in relation to the effective implementation of the provisions of this resolution;
7. Calls upon all States to give their full cooperation to the Committee in carrying out its tasks, including the provision of information that may be of use to the Committee.