6th most lethal war of the 20th Century

Tensions Territorial disputes in the Straits of Hormuz Shatt al Arab Waterway Iranian Revolution Anti Ba’ath riots Attempted assassination of Tariq Aziz Expulsion of 70,000 Shi’ites Instigation of riots in Khuzestan

Resources Iraq possessed 200,000 soldiers, 2,000 tanks and 450 aircraft 1979 Oil boom 33 Billion$ Extensive loans from Kuwait $20 million from Saudi Arabia Extensive US aid Sale of weapons Officer purges 85 senior general 12,000 officers 60% desertion Lack of spare parts for US made equipment 1000 tanks 200 aircraft

Saddam’s mis-calculation, Revolutionary disorder or revolutionary fervor Protracted war: Iran unwilling to cease fighting, Iraq unable Highly asymmetrical due to Iraqi access to advanced weaponry indiscriminate ballistic-missile attacks on cities by both sides, mostly by Iraq; extensive use of chemical weapons (mostly by Iraq); and some 520 attacks on third-country oil tankers

Trench Warfare both armies had a large number of infantry with modern small arms little armor, aircraft, or training in combined operations

Iran’s Position Absent of advanced weapons Deprived of experienced military officers that had been purged Population of 40 million as opposed to Iraq’s 13 Only available strategy relied on mass infantry attacks High population moral

Human Wave Attacks Used as mine sweeping and to absorb artillery fire 95,000 Child soldiers Iraq strategy “defense in depth”

Tanker War and the War on the Cities Attacks on 3rd country oil tankers leaving Iranian ports Attacks on cities inflicting damage on civilian population February 1984 12,000 Iranian civilian casualties

Years of failed attempts to penetrate Iraqi defenses Iraq maintained an entrenched position until 1988 Large scale Iraqi counter attack in April leading to the reluctant acceptance of a UN sponsored ceasefire.

Foreign Aid Iraq directly supported with arms and finances by Kuwait, SA, US US, China, Brazil, USSR, major sales of weapons to both Israel supports Iran

Iran – Contra Affair began as an operation to free 7 American hostages in Lebanon help by Hezbollah Israel would ship weapons to Iran, United States would resupply Israel and receive the Israeli payment. The Iranian recipients promised to help with release of hostages. plan deteriorated into an arms-for-hostages scheme portion of the proceeds diverted to fund anti-communist rebels in Nicaragua 5 of 7 eventually released

Weapons of Mass Destruction US exported $500 million of dual use exports to Iraq Among them were advanced computers, some of which were used in Iraq's nuclear program. The non-profit American Type Culture Collection and the Centers for Disease Control sold or sent biological samples of anthrax, West Nile virus and botulism to Iraq up until 1989

Operation Anfal Campaign against the Kurdish population of northern Iraq 1986 – 1989 Halabja Massacre March 16, 1988, Iraqi attempt to repel the Iranian and Kurdish forces. 48 hours after the fall of the town 3,200 and 5,000 deaths 7,000 to 10,000 casualties mostly civilians. Thousands more died of, diseases, and birth defects after largest chemical weapons attack directed against a civilian-population in history http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNxks7LqY0w

Iran Air 655 Previous incidents with both belligerents July 3, 1988 USS Vincennes 290 Killed 1996 "...the United States recognizes the aerial incident of 3 July 1988 as a terrible human tragedy and expressed deep regret over the loss of lives caused by the incident.. $61 Million compensation

Outcomes UN Resolution 598 War ends July 20, 1988 500,000 Deaths 1 million permanent invalids, $228 billion expended $400 billion in damage Inconsequential gains exclusive Iraqi sovereignty over the Shatt-el-Arab waterway Hussein surrendered that gain in need of Iran’s neutrality in anticipation of the 1991 Gulf War.

Effects on Regional and International Relations Cements the Iranian Islamic Revolution Entrenches hostility between the US and Iran Increased sectarianism Invasion of Kuwait by Iraq Gulf War I