Iraq- Kuwait War

Iraq- Kuwait War

1. What worsen relations?

   • Economic Problems in Iraq
     • because of the Iran- Iraq war, Iraq suffered tremendously during the war
       • owed a lot of money to neighbouring countries, had to find ways to repay the massive debt and to rebuild the countru
   • Dispute over Territory
     • Borders were not well defined and continued to create problems for both sides
       • eg: The Rumalia Oilfields
         • ill-defined borders between Iraq and Kuwait had resulted in both sides sharing a profitable oilfield, Rumalia
           • conflicts over Iraq accusing Kuwait of stealing oil by drilling on the Iraqi side and demanded for compensation of US2.4billion
       • eg Bubiyan and Warbah Islands
         • Dispute over ownership of the two islands
           • Kuwait inherited from the British, Iraq was unhappy as the islands were strategically located off Iraqi port of Umm Qasr - direct outlet for them to sell oil to world markets
   • Oil Production
     • hoped to pay off debt by earning more revenue through oil
       • but oil prices were falling due to over-production by some countries
         • therefore, lost a lot of revenue, Iraq's revenue depended 90% on oil

2. Attempts to Resolve problems between Iraq and Kuwait

   • meditation by Arab League
     • Iraq made several complaints against Kuwait, complaints include theft of oil from Rumalia oilfield
       • hence Saudi Arabia and others cancelled Iraqi's warloans
         • Kuwait and UAE gave in to pressure from Saudi Arabia. Iraq and Iran to abide by OPEC quotas
     • How Successful?
       • OPEC agreed to raise oil prices - ensuring Iraq would earn more from oil sales
       • At the 'dialogue', Kuwait agreed to write off Iraq's wartime debt and provided additional loan of US500 million
         • but Iraq walked out of the 'dialogue' on 1 Aug 1990 when Kuwait refused to provide territorial concessions

3. Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait

   • Successfully invaded Kuwait in early hours of 2nd August 1990
   • Kuwait's army was not fully mobilized
     • Kuwait fell to Iraq within 12 hours in invasion
       • Iraq's army then moved towards the Saudi Border and stationed itself there

4. Why did Iraq invade Kuwait?

   • Iraq's official reason - claimed that revolutionaries had requested to free Kuwait from the ruling government
     • warned other countries not to intervene, threatened to kill Kuwaitis
   • Saddam Hussien's Leadership
     • Saw Kuwait's repeated refusals regarding territorial concessions as an act of defiance and personal attack and credibility of him as leader
     • feared a Shi'a majority uprising within Iraq esp with Iraq's devastated economy
   • Misread America's position, thought he had their support if he invaded Kuwait

5. Reactions to the Invasion

   • Fear of Iraqi Dominance
     • Invasion of Kuwait gave Iraq 20% of control of world's oil production
       • Iraq to become bolder because of ease to which Kuwait was invaded
         • Saudi's military unpreparedness made its kingdom riches vunerable
   • Arab Solution
     • Arab Countries not keen for America's response
       • Kuwaiti officials appealed to the Arab League to organise a joint force to counter Iraqi invasion
         • Arab league voted to condemn Iraqi's actions and called for withdrawal - could not effectively deal with crisis effectively
   • America's response
     • Invited by Saudis, deployed Operation Desert Shield
       • US led collision joined by Britain, France, Arab League Nations
   • International Response
     • UN security council passed a unanimous resolution demanding immediate Iraqi withdrawal
       • military actions favored

6. How effective is Use Of Force

   • Iraq Response - agreed to withdraw, yet refused to allow Kuwait's ruling govt back into power
     • Saddam became more defiant after Arab League's condemnation of him
       • declared annexation of Kuwait, kept westerns and kuwait hostage (human shields)
   • economic sanctions would have taken too long to see effect, many countries may not follow