1. Iran/Iraq War 1980-1988 Ama K. and Emma E.

2. Underlying Causes Religious Differences: – Iran: Shia Islamic Revolution – Iraq: Sunni; Extreme Arab Nationalism Ayatollah Khomeini rejected Saddam's overture by calling for Shia revolution in Iraq Saddam was interested in elevating Iraq to a strong regional power – Knew Imperial Iranian Army was collapsing – Petroleum

3. Immediate Causes Began when Iraq invaded Iran via simultaneous invasions by air and land on 22 September 1980 Shatt al-Arab Waterway – Dispute over boundary lines and ownership of the waterway Execution of Ayatollahs in Iraq – Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Baqir al-Sadr and his sister Amina Hayda

4. Weapons Iran American Made Aircraft – More sophisticated Very few tanks – Equipment not maintained when Shah came into power Libya, China, and North Korea all sent weapons, particularly missiles US sold weapons (Reagan) Iraq Possessed fully equipped and trained forces 190,000 men 2,200 tanks 450 aircraft Egypt, Jordan, Soviet Union provided weapons US also provided weapons BOTH: used chemical weapons (Mustard Gas, Nerve Gas)

5. Theaters of War At the Border, trenches, air Mountainous border, resulted in use of air

6. Decisive Battles Guerilla Warfare Air Battles Trench Warfare Disorganized July 1982 Iran launched Operation Ramadan on Iraqi territory Four major battles were fought from April to August 1988 In October 1980, a prolonged urban battle began in the city of Khorramshahr with both sides losing about 7,000 dead In the ensuing Battle of Dezful, the Iranian division was almost totally destroyed in one of the biggest tank battles of the entire war

7. Key Strategies in terms of the tactics used, including large- scale trench warfare with barbed wire stretched across trenches, manned machine-gun posts, bayonet charges, human wave attacks across a no-man's land, and extensive use of chemical weapons such as mustard gas by the Iraqi government against Iranian troops, civilians, and Iraqi Kurds

8. Peace Agreements 1982 Saddam announced he would accept a ceasefire-Khomeini kept war for 6 more years Operation Mersad ( مرساد "ambush") was the last major military operation of the war ending in a decisive victory for Iran Resolution 598 becoming effective on 8 August 1988, ending all combat operations between the two countries. By 20 August 1988, peace with Iran was restored. UN peacekeepers belonging to the UNIIMOG mission took the field, remaining on the Iran–Iraq border until 1991

9. Long Term Impacts stalled economic development and disrupted oil exports, and cost an estimated million lives. Iraq was left with serious debts to its former Arab backers, including $14 billion loaned by Kuwait, a debt which contributed to Hussein's 1990 decision to invade Kuwait Oil industry was damaged. Air raids had been launched by both nations against the oil infrastructure, and Iran had attacked the oil trade of Kuwait as well The end of the war left the borders unchanged During this war, the personnel of the Iraqi Army increased from 242,250 to 1,200,000 troops

10. Sources www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/ir an-iraq.htm www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/ir an-iraq.htm www.historyofwar.org/articles/wars_iraniraq. html www.historyofwar.org/articles/wars_iraniraq. html www.iranchamber.com/history/articles/chemi cal_warfare_iran_iraq_war.php www.iranchamber.com/history/articles/chemi cal_warfare_iran_iraq_war.php