Reasons For Iraq's Invasion of Kuwait

Reasons For Iraq's Invasion of Kuwait

1. Iraq's Official Reason

   • Iraq claimed that the revolutionaries in Kuwait requested for Iraq to free Kuwait from its ruling government
     • Iraq saw this as a rightful reason to invade Kuwait, and warned other countries to not intervene its invasion of Kuwait

2. Saddam Hussein's Leadership

   • Saddam Hussein saw himself as a great leader
     • Saddam Hussein saw the refusal of Kuwait to give in to his demands as defiance and a form of personal attack on him
       • This caused Saddam Hussein's dislike for Kuwait
         • Also, majority of the Iraq population is made up of the Shi'a Muslims while Saddam Hussein is a Sunni Muslim
           • Iraq also had a large army numbering in millions
             • Following the Iraq-Iran war, the economy of Iraq was devastated
               • The people saw this war as a failure, and they were angry due to the extremely high prices of daily necessities
                 • Saddam Hussein feared that the people, army, and Shi'a Muslims will rise up against him if situations in Iraq does not improve
                   • This further convinced Saddam Hussein of the need to gain control over Kuwait so that Iraq will be in control of 20% of the world's oil production
                     • This way, Iraq will be able to earn more revenue from the sales of oil, thus, economic problems in Iraq will be resolved
                       • This way, Saddam Hussein will be able to secure his position as he regain popularity among the people
                         • Thus, Saddam Hussein decided to invade Kuwait

3. Iraq misread USA's position

   • Saddam Hussein met the American ambassador to discuss the problems between Kuwait and Iraq before its invasion of Kuwait
     • However, Saddam Hussein misread USA's stand towards it invading Kuwait
       • Saddam Hussein thought that the US was sympathetic with Iraq and will not intervene if Iraq invade Kuwait
         • Hence, Iraq thought that it will not face the severe consequence of having to fight against USA with its invasion of Kuwait
           • This caused Saddam Hussein to be more confident to invade Kuwait and win as he thought that he had USA's support
             • Hence, Saddam Hussein decided to invade Kuwait