Politics of the Middle East Gulf War I

Iraq – Kuwait Dispute Kuwait had been a part of the Ottoman Empire's province of Basra, The UK drew the border between the two countries in 1922, making Iraq virtually landlocked exceeding its OPEC quotas for oil production. In order for the cartel to maintain its desired price of $18 a barrel, discipline was required United Arab Emirates and Kuwait were consistently overproducing; the latter at least in part to repair losses caused by Iranian attacks in the Iran–Iraq War resulting loss of $7 billion a year to Iraq slant-drilling across the border into Iraq's Rumaila oil field Umm Qasr

Iraqi Appeal to the Arab League Jeddah Talks Kuwait offers 9 Billion, Iraq demands 10 Meeting with US Ambassador Failed diplomacy resulted in Iraqi Invasion

Operational Strength KuwaitIraq 16,000 soldiers 3 armored divisions 1 mechanised infantry 1 artillery brigade. 80 aircraft 40 helicopters World’s 4 th largest army 955,000 standing soldiers 650,000 paramilitary forces 5,500 tanks 3,000 artillery pieces 700 combat aircraft and helicopters

UN resolution 660, demanded Iraq withdraw UN 661 initiated economic sanctions UN 665 Hussein proposed that all cases of occupation, and those cases that have been portrayed as occupation, in the region, be resolved simultaneously". Israel withdraw from Syria and Palestine Syria withdraw from Lebanon, and "mutual withdrawals by Iraq and Iran U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia replaced by and Arab force not to include Egypt Normalization of relations with Iraq

Second Iraqi Proposal guaranteed access to the Persian Gulf through the Kuwaiti islands of Bubiyan and Warbah“ Iraq to gain full control of Rumaila oil field that extends into Kuwaiti territory". negotiate an oil agreement with US develop a joint plan 'to alleviate Iraq's economical problems' and 'jointly work on the stability of the gulfIraq U.N. lift sanctions Iraq withdraw from Kuwait and allow foreigners to leave

UN 678 gave Iraq until 15 January 1991 to withdraw from Kuwait and empowered states to use "all necessary means" to force Iraq out of Kuwait after the deadline.

Saudi Arabia Occupation of north Saudi Oil fields would give Iraq the majority of world oil reserves 26$ Billion in debt Saudi state was an illegitimate and unworthy guardian of the holy cities of Mecca and Medina SA requests military assistance Operation Desert Shield

Coalition 34 countries the largest since WW II Tin Cup Trip SA $15 Billion Kuwait $15 Billion Syria, Egypt, Oman, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar

The Air War 17 January 1991 Aerial bombing, 100,000 sorties, dropping 88,500 tons of bombs 75 aircraft losses in over 100,000 sorties Elimination of Iraqi air force 259 destroyed, 140 fled to Iran Elimination of radar capabilities air superiority Destruction of strategic infrastructure Civilian casualties 2278

Ground War 24 February Coalition Enters Kuwait and crosses Iraqi border to the west with 150,000 troops and 1,500 tanks Kuwaiti forces liberate Kuwait City After 4 days Iraqi forces leave Kuwait Coalition forces extent to 150 miles from Baghdad before withdrawing to the border

Ecological Crisis 732 oil wells set on fire and mined 1 billion barrels burned 300,000 barrels per day in open but not burning wells Last well capped November 6, 1991 Military advantage

Highway of Death Highway 80 and Highway 8 between Kuwait City and Basra 2000 vehicles destroyed or abandoned deaths Accusation of violation of the Geneva Convention

Battle of 73 Easting The bulk of Iraqi forces positioned in Kuwait supported by reserve IRG tanks Global Positioning System technology 3 US mechanized divisions advanced 120 miles in 82 hours First ground defeat of the Republican Guard

Scud Missiles/ Israel 88 Scud missiles were fired by Iraq during the war's seven weeks Attempt to provoke Israel into conflict and undermine the coalition Patriot Missile Defense System 74 Israelis killed 47 attacks on SA, 1 Bahrain, 1 Qatar

Uprisings Ceasefire agreement 28 February 1991 Speeches by Geore H.W. Bush "The Voice of Free Iraq“ Sha'aban Intifada among Arabs and as the National Uprising among Kurds Salah Omar al- Ali, 14 of 18 provinces under rebel control Rebellion effectively put down by Republican Guard tanks and helicopters 80,000 to 200,000 casualties mostly civilians Marsh Arabs No Fly Zone

Media embedded journalists from the front lines 24 hour satellite television Technology: Video game war, GPS, guided missiles cruise missile that travelled down a street and turned left at a traffic light.

Casualties Coalition: US 148 combat deaths 145 non-combat accidents U.K. suffered 47 deaths 18 Saudis, 1 Egyptian 6 UAE 3 Qataris least 605 Kuwaiti soldiers were still missing 10 years after their capture. Over 1,000 Kuwaiti civilians 3,664 Iraqi civilians Further 100,000 from the effects of war 20,000 – 35,000 combat deaths