Invasion of Kuwait
Part of the Gulf War
Date 2-4 August 1990 Location Kuwait Result Iraqi occupation of Kuwait triggering the Gulf War.
Combatants
Republic of Iraq	State of Kuwait
Commanders
Ali Hassan al-Majid	N/A
Strength
100,000[1]	16,000[2]
Casualties
37+ aircraft (est.) Other losses N/A	20 aircraft lost 600+ POW [3] Other losses N/A

The Invasion of Kuwait, also known as the Iraq-Kuwait War, was a major conflict between the Republic of Iraq and the State of Kuwait which resulted in the 7 month long Iraqi occupation of Kuwait^[4] which subsequently led to direct military intervention by United States-led forces (see Gulf War). Combatants United States Saudi Arabia Egypt United Kingdom & US-led Coalition Republic of Iraq Commanders Norman Schwarzkopf Khalid bin Sultan Saddam Hussein Strength 883,863 360,000 Casualties 240 killed in action, 776 wounded, 30 taken prisoner At least 183,000 victims of the Gulf War syndrome Est. ... (Redirected from 2 August) August 2 is the 214th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (215th in leap years), with 151 days remaining. ... is the 216th day of the year (217th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... Combatants United States Saudi Arabia Egypt United Kingdom & US-led Coalition Republic of Iraq Commanders Norman Schwarzkopf Khalid bin Sultan Saddam Hussein Strength 883,863 360,000 Casualties 240 killed in action, 776 wounded, 30 taken prisoner At least 183,000 victims of the Gulf War syndrome Est. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Iraq_(1963-1991). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Kuwait. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Iraq_(1963-1991). ... Ali Hassan al-Majid (Arabic: علي حسن المجيد) (born 1941) is a former Iraqi Defense Minister and commander. ... Geneva Convention definition A prisoner of war (POW) is a soldier, sailor, airman, or marine who is imprisoned by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict. ... Combatants United States Saudi Arabia Egypt United Kingdom & US-led Coalition Republic of Iraq Commanders Norman Schwarzkopf Khalid bin Sultan Saddam Hussein Strength 883,863 360,000 Casualties 240 killed in action, 776 wounded, 30 taken prisoner At least 183,000 victims of the Gulf War syndrome Est. ... Combatants Saudi Arabian Army SA National Guard United States Air Force Qatar  Iraq Casualties 35 dead, 32 wounded, 2 POW 2000+, 400 POW[1] Saudi National Guard american made Tanks during the Battle The Battle of Khafji was the first major ground engagement of the Gulf War. ... The Battle of 73 Easting was a decisive tank battle fought on 26 February 1991, during the Gulf War, between armored forces of the United States Army and those of the Iraqi Republican Guard. ... The Battle of Al Busayyah was a tank battle fought on 26 February 1991, during the Gulf War, between armored forces of the United States Army and those of the Iraqi Army. ... Combatants US Army Iraqi Republican Guard Commanders Paul E. Funk Ayad Futayih Al-Rawi Casualties 2 KIAs 12 WIAs 4 Bradleys destroyed 10 Bradleys damaged Unknown number of KIAs and WIAs 6 T-72s tanks destroyed or abandoned 17 APCs destroyed The Battle of Phase Line Bullet was one of... Combatants United States Iraq Commanders Montgomery Meigs Saddam Hussein Strength 1st Armored Division 2nd Brigade of Medina Luminous Division Casualties 1 killed (friendly fire), 30 wounded, 4 tanks damaged 186 tanks destroyed, 127 AFVs destroyed The Battle of Medina Ridge was a decisive tank battle fought on February 27, 1991... Combatants US Army Iraqi Republican Guard Commanders General Norman Schwarzkopf F.General Ayad Al-Rawi Casualties Unknown Unknown Battle of Wadi Al-Batin or Battle of Ruqi Pocket or Operation Red Storm was one of the battles which happeneds before the begining of the Desert Storm operations in February 15... The Battle of Norfolk was a tank battle fought on 27 February 1991, during the Gulf War, between armored forces of the United States Army and those of the Iraqi Republican Guard. ... Combatants United States Saudi Arabia Egypt United Kingdom & US-led Coalition Republic of Iraq Commanders Norman Schwarzkopf Khalid bin Sultan Saddam Hussein Strength 883,863 360,000 Casualties 240 killed in action, 776 wounded, 30 taken prisoner At least 183,000 victims of the Gulf War syndrome Est. ... Combatants United States Saudi Arabia Egypt United Kingdom & US-led Coalition Republic of Iraq Commanders Norman Schwarzkopf Khalid bin Sultan Saddam Hussein Strength 883,863 360,000 Casualties 240 killed in action, 776 wounded, 30 taken prisoner At least 183,000 victims of the Gulf War syndrome Est. ...

The invasion started on August 2, 1990 and within two days of intense combat, most of the Kuwaiti Armed Forces were either overrun by the Iraqi Republican Guard or escaped to neighboring Saudi Arabia. is the 214th day of the year (215th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... Before the Gulf War, Kuwait maintained a small military force consisting of army, navy, and air force and national guard units. ... Iraqi President Saddam Hussein talks with elite Republican Guard officers in Baghdad on March 1, 2003. ...

Causes of the conflict

Dispute over the financial debt

Kuwait had heavily funded the 8 year long Iraqi war against Iran. By the time the war ended, Iraq was not in a financial position to repay the $14 billion which it had borrowed from Kuwait to finance its war.^[5] Kuwait's reluctance to pardon the debt created strains in the relationship between the two Arab countries. During late 1989, several official meetings were held between the Kuwaiti and Iraqi leaders but they were unable to break the deadlock between the two. After the failure of the talks, Iraq tried repaying its debts by raising the prices of oil through OPEC's oil production cuts. However, Kuwait, a member of the OPEC, prevented a global increase in petroleum prices by increasing its own petroleum production. This was seen by many in Iraq as an act of aggression, further distancing the countries. Combatants  Iran Iraq Commanders Ruhollah Khomeini, Abolhassan Banisadr, Ali Shamkhani, Mostafa Chamran Saddam Hussein, Ali Hassan al-Majid Strength 305,000 soldiers 500,000 Passdaran and Basij militia 900 tanks 1,000 armored vehicles 3,000 artillery pieces 470 aircraft 750 helicopters[1] 190,000 soldiers 5,000 tanks 4... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ... OPEC Logo The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is an international cartel[1][2] made up of Iraq, Indonesia, Iran, Kuwait, Libya, Angola, Algeria, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela. ...

Kuwait's lucrative economy

After the Iran-Iraq War, the Iraqi economy was struggling to recover. Iraq's civil and military debt was higher than its state budget. On the other hand, with its vast oil reserves, Kuwait was regarded as one of the world's wealthiest and most economically stable countries. The Iraqi government clearly realized that by seizing Kuwait, it would be able to solve its financial problems. Due to its relatively small size, Kuwait was seen by Baghdad as an easy target. Iraqs economy is dominated by the petroleum sector, which has traditionally provided about 95% of foreign exchange earnings. ... Baghdad (Arabic: ) is the capital of Iraq and of Baghdad Governorate. ...

Rumaila Oil Field

The Rumaila Field lies in both Iraq and Kuwait and was a matter of dispute between the two countries. During the initial years of the "oil boom", Iraq concentrated on the oil fields to the north while much of Kuwait's oil drilling activity took place at the Burqan Oil Field. However, in 1989, Iraq accused Kuwait for illegally slant drilling into the Iraqi part of the Rumaila Oil Field. Iraq claimed $22.4 billion including $1 billion in compensation for the oil "stolen" from the Rumaila field in Iraq since 1989 by Kuwait's alleged slant-drilling under the Iraqi oil fields. Even though Kuwait dismissed the allegation as baseless,^[6] the Iraqi government decided to retaliate against Kuwait's alleged "economic warfare" by launching a military invasion. The Rumaila Field is an oil field in southern Iraq that also spills over into Kuwait, possession of this field led to disputes between Iraq and Kuwait and was one of reasons for Iraqs invasion of Kuwait in 1990. ... Much of western and southern Kuwait is home to some of the largest oil fields in the world. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Directional drilling. ...

Arab nationalism

Though Kuwait's large oil reserves was widely considered to be the main reason behind the Iraqi invasion, the Iraqi government justified its invasion by claiming that Kuwait was a natural part of Iraq carved off due to British imperialism.^[7] After signing the Anglo-Ottoman Convention of 1913, Britain split Kuwait and Iraq into two separate emirates. The Iraqi government also argued that the Kuwaiti Emir was a highly unpopular figure among the Kuwaiti populace. By overthrowing the Emir, Iraq claimed that it granted Kuwaitis greater economic and political freedom.^[5] The Anglo-Ottoman Convention of 1913 was a short-lived agreement signed in July 1913 between the Ottoman sultan Mehmed VI and the British over several issues. ...

Iraqi-American relations

On Wednesday July 25, 1990, the American Ambassador in Iraq, April Glaspie, asked the Iraqi high command to explain the military preparations in progress, including the massing of Iraqi troops near the border. The American ambassador declared to her Iraqi interlocutor that Washington, "inspired by the friendship and not by confrontation, does not have an opinion” on the disagreement which opposes Kuwait to Iraq, stating "we have no opinion on the Arab-Arab conflicts". She also let Saddam Hussein know that the U.S. did not intend "to start an economic war against Iraq". These statements may have misled Saddam into believing he had received a diplomatic green light from the United States to invade Kuwait (New York Times, September 23, 1990). is the 206th day of the year (207th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... An ambassador, rarely embassador, is a diplomatic official accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization, to serve as the official representative of his or her own country. ... April Catherine Glaspie (born April 26, 1942), American diplomat, is best-known for her role in the events leading up to the Gulf War of 1991. ... The New York Times is an internationally known daily newspaper published in New York City and distributed in the United States and many other nations worldwide. ... is the 266th day of the year (267th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ...

The invasion

On August 2, 1990 at 0200 hours, Iraq launched an invasion with four elite Iraqi Republican Guard divisions (1st Hammurabi Armoured Division, 2nd al-Medinah al-Munawera Armoured Division, 3rd Tawalkalna al-Allah Mechanized Infantry Division and 6th Nebuchadnezzar Motorized Infantry Division) and Iraqi Army special forces units equivalent to a full division. The main thrust was conducted by the commandos deployed by helicopters and boats to attack Kuwait City, while the other divisions seized the airports and two airbases. Iraqi President Saddam Hussein talks with elite Republican Guard officers in Baghdad on March 1, 2003. ... Symbol of the Polish 1st Legions Infantry Division in NATO code A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of around ten to twenty thousand soldiers. ... This diorite head is believed to represent Hammurabi Hammurabi (Akkadian from Amorite ˤAmmurāpi, the kinsman is a healer, from ˤAmmu, paternal kinsman, and Rāpi, healer; 1810 BC?–1750 BC) also rarely transliterated Ammurapi, Hammurapi, or Khammurabi) was the sixth king of Babylon. ... Alternative meanings: vehicle armour, Armor (novel) A hoplite wearing a helmet, a breastplate and greaves (and nothing else). ... Mechanized infantry are infantry equipped with armored personnel carriers (APCs), or infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) for transport and combat (see also mechanized force). ... Nebuchadnezzar has several meanings: Nebuchadnezzar (also Nebuchadrezzar), the name of several kings of Babylonia: Nebuchadnezzar I of Babylon Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon, the best known of these kings, who conquered Aram and Israel. ... Motorized military units are military units that have trucks, or other wheeled, un-armoured transport as an integral part of their organization. ... Infantry of the Royal Irish Rifles during the Battle of the Somme in World War I. Infantry are soldiers who fight primarily on foot with small arms in organized military units, though they may be transported to the battlefield by horses, ships, automobiles, skis, bicycles, or other means. ... The New Iraqi Army is being developed by the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team (CMATT) with the ultimate task of assuming responsibility for all Iraqi land-based military operations following the 2003 Invasion of Iraq. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... For other uses, see Commando (disambiguation). ... Kuwait City Kuwait City (also Al-Kuwait - الكويت), population 32,403 (2005 Census), is the capital of the emirate of Kuwait and part of the Al-Asimah governorate. ... An Airbase, sometimes referred to as a military airport or airfield, provides basing and support of military aircraft. ...

In support of these units, the Iraqi Army deployed a squadron of Mil Mi-25 helicopter gunships, several units of Mi-8 and Mi-17 transport helicopters, as well as a squadron of Bell 412 helicopters. The foremost mission of the helicopter units was to transport and support Iraqi commandos into Kuwait City, and subsequently to support the advance of ground troops. The Iraqi Air Force (IrAF) had at least two squadrons of Sukhoi Su-22, one of Su-25, one of Mirage F1 and two of MiG-23 fighter-bombers. The main task of the IrAF was to establish air superiority through limited counter-air strikes against two main air bases, to provide close air support and reconnaissance as necessary. A Squadron is a small unit or formation of cavalry, aircraft (including balloons), or naval vessels. ... The Mil Mi-24 is a large combat helicopter gunship and low-capacity troop transport operated from 1976 by the Soviet Air Force, its successors, and over thirty other nations. ... A helicopter gunship is a military helicopter armed for attacking targets on the ground, using automatic cannon and machinegun fire, rockets, and precision guided missiles such as the Hellfire. ... Russian Mi-8 Hip The Mil Mi-8 (NATO reporting name Hip) is a large transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. ... The Mil Mi-17 (Also known as the Mi-8MT, NATO reporting name Hip-H) was a Soviet cargo helicopter. ... It has been suggested that CH-146 Griffon be merged into this article or section. ... The Iraqi Air Force (IQAF) is the military branch in Iraq responsible for aerial warfare. ... A Squadron is a grouping of aircraft, naval vessels, armoured fighting vehicles or soldiers. ... Two aircraft share the designation Su-17. ... Su-25 of the Russian Air Force The Su-25 (NATO reporting name Frogfoot) is a battlefield attack, close air support, and anti-tank aircraft designed by the Soviet Union. ... The Dassault Mirage F1 is a single-seat air-superiority fighter and attack aircraft built by Dassault of France. ... Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 (Flogger). ... A ground attack aircraft is an aircraft that is designed to operate very close to the ground, supporting infantry and tanks directly in battle. ... Air superiority is the dominance in the air power of one side air forces of another side during a military campaign. ... An Apache attack helicopter provides close air support to United States Army soldiers patrolling the Tigris River southeast of Baghdad, Iraq during the Iraq War. ... Mixed reconnaissance patrol of the Polish Home Army and the Soviet Red Army during Operation Tempest, 1944 Reconnaissance is the military term for the active gathering of information about an enemy, or other conditions, by physical observation. ...

In spite of months of Iraqi saber-rattling, Kuwait did not have its forces on alert and was caught unaware. The first indication of the Iraqi ground advance was from a radar-equipped aerostat that detected an Iraqi armor column moving south.^[8] Kuwaiti air, ground, and naval forces resisted, but were vastly outnumbered. In central Kuwait, the 35th Armored Brigade deployed approximately a battalion of tanks against the Iraqis and fought delaying actions near Jahra, west of Kuwait City.^[9] In the south, the 15th Armored Brigade moved immediately to evacuate its forces to Saudi Arabia. Of the small Kuwaiti Navy, two missile boats were able to evade capture or destruction, one of the craft sinking three Iraqi ships before fleeing.^{[citation needed]} It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Saber noise. ... This long range radar antenna, known as ALTAIR, is used to detect and track space objects in conjunction with ABM testing at the Ronald Reagan Test Site on the Kwajalein atoll. ... Uncrewed aerostats can carry instruments and sensors for long durations that are impractical for humans and other aircraft. ... Before the Gulf War, Kuwait maintained a small military force consisting of army, navy, and air force and national guard units. ... In military science a brigade is a military unit that is part of a division and includes regiments (where that level exists), or (in modern armies) is composed of several battalions (typically two to four) and directly attached supporting units. ... Symbol of the Austrian 14th Armoured Battalion in NATO military graphic symbols A battalion is a military unit usually consisting of between two and six companies and typically commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel. ... Jahra(Arabic: جهراء) is a City/town located to the north-west of Kuwait City in Kuwait which mainly consists of agricultural areas. ... The coat of arms of Kuwaits navy The Kuwaiti navy, or Kuwait Naval Force, is the sea-based component of the Military of Kuwait. ... Missile Boat, see Missile Boat (disambiguation) Missile boat FNS Hamina of the Finnish Navy. ...

Kuwait Air Force aircraft were scrambled, but approximately 20% were lost or captured. An air battle with the Iraqi helicopter airborne forces was fought over Kuwait City, inflicting heavy losses on the Iraqi elite troops, and a few combat sorties were flown against Iraqi ground forces. The remaining 80% were then evacuated to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, some aircraft even taking off of the highways adjacent to the bases as the runways were overrun. While these aircraft were not used in support of the subsequent Gulf War, the "Free Kuwait Air Force" assisted Saudi Arabia in patrolling the southern border with Yemen, who was considered a threat by the Saudis because of Yemen-Iraq ties.^[5] The Kuwait Air Force (al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Kuwaitiya) is the air arm of the State of Kuwait. ... You may be looking for a form of climbing: scrambling Scramble is a 1981 horizontally scrolling shoot em up, arcade game. ... Airborne Military parachuting form of insertion. ...

Iraqi tanks attacked Dasman Palace, the royal residence. Emir Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah had already fled into the Saudi desert, but his private guard and his younger half brother, Sheikh Fahad al–Ahmad al–Sabah, stayed behind to defend their home. The sheikh was shot and killed and his body was placed in front of a tank and run over.^[10] Alaa Hussein Ali was placed as head of a puppet government in Kuwait, prior to its annexation into Iraq. Entrance to the emirs palace in Bukhara. ... Jaber meeting with French foreign minister Roland Dumas during the Gulf War, October 1990 Jaber III al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah (Arabic: جابر الأحمد الجابر الصباح)‎ (June 29, 1926–January 15, 2006), of the al-Sabah dynasty, served as the thirteenth emir of Kuwait, and third emir since Kuwaits independence from Britain... A half-brother is a male sibling with one shared parent. ... For other uses, see Sheikh (disambiguation). ... Alaa Hussein Ali served at the head of a puppet government in Kuwait during the initial stages of the 1991 Iraqi invasion from August 4, 1990 to August 8, 1990. ... A puppet state is a state whose government, though notionally of the same culture as the governed people - owes its existence (or other major debt) to being installed, supported or controlled by a more powerful entity, typically a foreign power. ... Ceremonies during the annexation of Hawaii. ...

References

External links

• INVASION
• Iraq's invasion of Kuwait (02 August 1990)
• Saddam Sends Apology to Kuwait for Invasion December 09, 2002
• PLO apologises over Kuwait December 12, 2004