Iran-Iraq War 1980-1988

6th most lethal war of the 20th Century

1979 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLUktJbp2Ug

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Pre War Tensions Territorial disputes Shat al Arab Waterway Iranian Revolution Encouraging the Shi’ite Arabs to rebel Iranian presence in the Kurdish North Instigation of riots in Khuzestan Attempted assassination of Tariq Aziz gives Iraq the necessary excuse to invade

Iraq Iran Resources 200,000 soldiers, 2,000 tanks and 450 aircraft 33 Billion$ Loans from Kuwait and SA Extensive US aid, Sale of weapons Officer purges: 85 senior generals 12,000 officers 60% desertion Lack of spare parts for US made equipment 1000 tanks 200 aircraft

Shat al Arab Waterway

Iraq Ethnic and Sectarian Divisions

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 held by Hezbollah US agrees to sell arms to Iran 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. Profits diverted to fund anti-communist rebels in Nicaragua 5 of 7 hostages eventually released

Trench Warfare Iraq initially makes gains into Khuzestan but is unable to advance. Khuzestan Arabs remain loyal to Iran 1982 Iran regroups and retakes lost territory Iraq takes a defensive position and offers truce Iran refuses truce and initiates human wave assaults

1984 New Tactics Iraq attacks Iranian and 3rd country oil tankers leaving Iranian ports Iraq bombs Iranian cities to destroy morale February 1984, 12,000 Iranian civilian casualties Iraq begins use of chemical weapons Iran closes straights of Hormuz to Iraqi and Kuwaiti shipping Iran makes an alliance with the Kurds

International Community In order to ensure free movement of oil foreign powers attempt to protect shipping in the Persian Gulf It became increasingly evident that the world was not going to allow Iran to win the war.

Outcomes War ends 20 July 1988 500,000 Deaths Exclusive Iraqi sovereignty over the Shatt al Arab waterway Hussein surrendered that gain in need of Iran’s neutrality in anticipation of the 1991 Gulf War.

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. 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 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNxks7LqY0w