The 1991 uprisings in Iraq were rebellions in Southern and Northern Iraq in the aftermath of the Persian Gulf War. Although they presented a serious threat to his regime, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was able to suppress the rebellions with massive force and maintain power. Although some expected intervention by the United States, this never materialized. See also: 2003 invasion of Iraq and Gulf War (disambiguation) C Company, 1st Battalion, The Staffordshire Regiment, 1st UK Armoured Division The Persian Gulf War was a conflict between Iraq and a coalition force of 34 nations led by the United States. ... Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti, (Arabic: ), (born April 28, 1937 ), was the President of Iraq from 1979 until the United States-led invasion of Iraq reached Baghdad on April 9, 2003. ...

Start of the uprisings

The revolt in the Shiite-dominated south of Iraq broke out in March, 1991, sparked by demoralized troops returning from Iraq's defeat in the Persion Gulf War. Another uprising in the Kurdish areas of northern Iraq broke out shortly thereafter. Shi‘as (the adjective in Arabic is شيعى shi‘i; English has traditionally used Shiite) which mean follower in Arabic make up the second largest sect of believers in Islam, constituting about 30%-35% of all Muslim. ...

Suppression of the uprisings

The goverenment of Saddam Hussien responded to the uprisings with crushing force. According to Human Rights Watch: Human Rights Watch Banner Human Rights Watch is a United States-based international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights. ...

In their attempts to retake cities, and after consolidating control, loyalist forces killed thousands of unarmed civilians by firing indiscriminately into residential areas; executing young people on the streets, in homes and in hospitals; rounding up suspects, especially young men, during house-to-house searches, and arresting them without charge or shooting them en masse; and using helicopters to attack unarmed civilians as they fled the cities.

External links

• Endless Torment: The 1991 Uprising in Iraq And Its Aftermath Human Rights Watch
• Conflict history: Iraq International Crisis Group.
• Supression of the 1991 Uprising PBS Frontline