We explain what the Gulf War was, what were its background and its results. In addition, UN resolutions on the conflict.
What was the Gulf War?
The Gulf War (1990-1991), also called “Second Gulf War” (while the “first” refers to the war between Iran and Iraq from 1980 to 1988), was an international military conflict that involved several countries. The conflict began when Iraq leader, Saddam Hussein, accused Kuwait of overproducing oil generate the fall of its price and exploit the oil reserves of Rumaila, which were on the Iraqi side of the border.
In 1990, Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait and occupied the country . Before the fear of oil reserves, the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom allied against Iraq and intervened directly into the conflict, each in defense of their own interests. In turn, the United Nations Organization (UN) demanded the withdrawal of Iraqi troops.
Allied foreign troops attacked the Iraqis by air, by land and by sea. Through the famous “Desert Storm Operation” campaign, they managed to penetrate Iraq and obtain the surrender of Huseín in 1991.
As a result of war, It is estimated that more than one hundred thousand people died . Most of the fallen were Iraqi soldiers, but it is estimated that the fatal civil victims in Iraq and Kuwait ascend fifteen thousand dead.
Background of the Gulf War
In 1960, within the framework of the decolonization process of Asia, the United Kingdom retired from the Middle East. Since then, Iraq claims Kuwait's territory as its own located in a space of great economic and political importance.
There is the third largest reserve in the world of oil and, in addition, its location hinders Iraqi access to the Persian Gulf (main oil trade). On the other hand, the Iraqi economy was in decline and its economic resources were exhausted after the long war between Iran and Iraq (1980-1988).
On April 17, 1990, Saddam Hussein (Iraq leader) accused the Kuwait government of overproducting oil and generating a fall in the price of oil that affected trade internationally. Besides, He denounced that Kuwaitis companies were exploiting oil deposits in the Rumaila region, in Iraqi territory . In the following months, different negotiations were carried out to avoid armed conflict. Finally, tensions led to an Iraqi attack.
Gulf War Development
On August 2, 1990, 100,000 Iraqi soldiers crossed the border and invaded Kuwait . On August 8, Huseín proclaimed the official annexation of the country. The next day, George W. Bush (US President) announced the sending of North American troops to Saudi Arabia, one of his main allies in the Middle East, with the aim of assisting her in the defense of his borders. At the same time, an international economic boycott was organized with the support of the UN against the Iraqi economy.
In the following months, international forces against Iraq continued to arrive. In total, it is estimated that 500,000 soldiers from the United States, 65,000 Saudi Arabia, 43,000 United Arab Emirates and 35,000 of the United Kingdom intervened in the conflict.
In November 1991, the UN Security Council issued an ultimatum and approved that the member states “use the necessary means” to ensure the Iraqi withdrawal of Kuwait. Before the Iraqi refusal, on January 15 International allies began an intensive bombing campaign known as “Desert Storm Operation.”
This facilitated the subsequent attack by land that began on February 23 and, in just four days, advanced on the Iraqi territory. Finally, Huseín had to surrender and accepted the cessation to the fire for February 28, 1991.
Gulf War Results
The Gulf War ended with Iraq's defeat by international allied forces. Iraq had to accept its territorial limits prior to war and Kuwait regained its independent status.
Huseín also had to access the disarmament of weapons of mass destruction and the long -range missiles he had in his possession. In addition, in later years he had to face different economic punishments.
It is estimated that as a result of the war, 110,000 Iraqi soldiers, 10,000 Iraqi civilians, 5,000 civilians from Kuwait and 300 soldiers of foreign forces died. . In addition, during the withdrawal of the troops, Huseín ordered the fire of more than 700 Kuwait oil wells, which generated an environmental disaster that affected the entire region.
UN actions on the Gulf War (1990-1991)
During the Gulf War, UN intervention played an important role in the future of events. In 1990, the UN issued a series of resolutions that condemned the invasion of Kuwait and urged Iraq's military forces to retire. In addition, through resolution 661 it established the international political and economic block against Iraq. A few months later, through resolution 670, the UN authorized international troops to use “all necessary means” to achieve the surrender of Iraqi troops.
UN resolutions about the gulf conflict
Resolution 660 (1990), August 2, 1990
The Security Council
“Alarmed by Kuwait's invasion on August 2, 1990 by the Iraq military force,
Determining that, in relation to Kuwait's invasion for Iraq, there is a breakdown of international peace and security,
Acting in accordance with articles 39 and 40 of the United Nations Charter,
1. condemns Kuwait's invasion for Iraq
2. requires that Iraq immediately and unconditionally withdraw all their forces to the positions in which they were on August 1, 1990;
3. Exhort Iraq and Kuwait to immediately initiate intensive negotiations to solve their differences and support all the efforts made in this regard, and especially those of the League of the Arab states;
4. decides to meet again, as necessary, in order to consider the adoption of other measures to ensure compliance with this resolution.“
Resolution 661 (1990), August 6, 1990
The Security Council
Reaffirming its resolution 660 (1990), of August 2, 1990,
“Deeply concerned that this resolution has not been applied and because of life and destruction of goods,
Determined to end the invasion and occupation of Kuwait by Iraq and restore the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Kuwait,
Observing that Kuwait's legitimate government has expressed its willingness to comply with resolution 660 (1990),
Aware of their responsibilities under the United Nations Charter regarding the maintenance of international peace and security,
Affirming the immanent right of legitimate defense, individual or collective, in response to the armed attack of Iraq against Kuwait, in accordance with article 51 of the Charter,
Acting in accordance with Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter,
1. determines that, until now, Iraq has not complied with paragraph 2 of resolution 660 (1990) and has usurped the authority of the Kuwait legitimate government;
2. Decide, as a consequence, take the following measures to make Irak comply with paragraph 2 of resolution 660 (1990) and restore Kuwait's legitimate government authority:
3. Decide that all states will prevent:
a) The import to their territories of all the original products of Iraq or Kuwait that are exported from these after the date of this resolution;
b) All the activities of their nationals or in their territories that promote or are intended of Iraq or Kuwait funds to attend to those activities or transactions;
c) The sale or supply by their nationals or from their territories or through the use of ships with their pavilions of any products or goods, including weapons and any other type of military equipment, originating or not from their territories, but excluding supplies destined strictly to medical purposes, and, in humanitarian circumstances, food, any person or entity in Iraq or Kuwait with any businesses carried out in Iraq or Kuwait, or directed from them, and any activities of their nationals that are intended to promote such sale or supply of those products or goods;
4. Decide that all states will refrain from making available to the Iraq government, or any commercial, industrial or public services company that operates in Iraq or Kuwait, any funds or any other financial or economic resources, and will prevent their nationals and any people who are in their territories from withdrawing from them or put otherwise available to that government or those companies, any of those companies or resources. any other funds to people or entities that are in Iraq or Kuwait, with the sole exception of payments for strictly medical or humanitarian purposes and, in humanitarian circumstances, food: food:
5. He urges all states, including states that are not members of the United Nations, to act in strict compliance with the provisions of this resolution, regardless of any signed contract or license granted before the date of this resolution;
6. He decides to establish, in accordance with article 28 of the Provisional Regulation of the Security Council, a Committee of the Security Council composed of all the members of the Council to perform the tasks indicated below and report to the Council on your work and present observations and recommendations:
a) Examine the reports on the application of this resolution that must be submitted to the Secretary General:
b) obtain from all states more information about the measures they adopt in relation to the effective application of the provisions of this resolution;
7. He urges all states to provide all their collaboration to the Committee in the performance of their tasks, including the supply of the information that you may request in compliance with this resolution;
8. Ask the Secretary General to provide all the necessary assistance to the Committee and take the necessary provisions in the Secretariat with that object;
9. He decides that, despite the provisions of paragraphs 4 to 8 supra, none of the provisions of this resolution will prohibit assistance to the legitimate government of Kuwait, and urges all states to which:
a) Take adequate measures to protect Kuwait's legitimate government and its agencies:
b) refrain from recognizing any regime established by the occupant power;
10. Ask the Secretary General to inform the Council on the application of this resolution and present the first report in respect to 30 days;
11. He decides to maintain this issue in his agenda and continue his efforts to put an end to Kuwait's invasion as soon as Iraq.“
Resolution 665 (1990), August 25, 1990
The Security Council
“Remembering their resolutions 660 (1990), 661 (1990), 662 (1990) and 664 (1990) and demanding its fully and immediate application,
Having decided on resolution 661 (1990) impose economic sanctions under chapter VII of the United Nations Charter,
Determined to put an end to Kuwait's occupation by Iraq, which compromises the existence of a Member State, and to restore the legitimate authority, the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Kuwait, which requires the prompt application of the aforementioned resolutions,
Regretting the loss of innocent lives caused by Kuwait's invasion by Iraq and determined to avoid more losses,
Seriously alarmed by the fact that Iraq continues to refuse to comply with resolutions 660 (1990), 661 (1990) and 664 (1990), and in particular with the behavior of the Iraq government when using Iraqi flag ships to export oil,
1. It urges the Member States to cooperate with the Kuwait government that are display (1990);
2. Invite the Member States to cooperate, as necessary, to ensure compliance with the provisions of Resolution 661 (1990), resorting to the maximum of political and diplomatic measures, according to paragraph 1 supra:
3. Ask all states to provide the assistance required by the states mentioned in paragraph 1 of this resolution;
4. It also asks the interested states to coordinate their action in compliance with the paragraphs of this resolution that preceded using the mechanism of the General Staff Committee and after consulting with the Secretary General submit reports to the Security Council and their Committee established by virtue of the RE Solution 661 (1990) to facilitate the surveillance of the application of this resolution;
5. He decides to continue actively dealing with this issue.“
Resolution 670 (1990) November 29, 1990
The Security Council
“Remembering and reaffirming their resolutions 660 (1990), 661 (1990), 662 (1990), 664 (1990), 665 (1990), 666 (1990), 667 (1990), 669 (1990),
Observing that despite all efforts deployed by the United Nations Iraq, he refuses to satisfy his obligation to apply resolution 660 (1990) and subsequent resolutions, openly challenging the Council,
Bearing in mind the duties and responsibilities that the United Nations Charter assigned in relation to the maintenance and preservation of peace and international security.
Determined to fully respect their decisions, acting in application of chapter VII of the United Nations Charter,
1. The Council requires that Iraq fully adjust to resolution 660 (1990) and all relevant relevant resolutions and, without retracting any of its decisions decides to agree a period of grace to give it a last chance to do so;
2. Authorizes all Member States that cooperate with the Kuwait government, if on January 15, 1991 Iraq has not fully fulfilled all the resolutions mentioned in accordance with paragraph 1 above, to use all the necessary means to enforce and apply resolution 660 (1990) of the Security Council and all relevant relevant resolutions, as well as to establish international peace and security in the region;
3. Ask all states to provide the necessary support to the measures provided for in paragraph 2 of this resolution;
4. Ask the interested states to keep you regularly informed of the provisions that take paragraphs 2 and 3 of this resolution;
5 decides to continue dealing with the matter.“
Resolution 686 (1991), March 2, 1991
The Security Council
Remembering and reaffirming their resolutions 660 (1990) (…) and 678 (1990)
“Remembering the obligations that concern member states in accordance with article 25 of the Charter,
d) Provide information and assistance of all kinds to identify the mines, explosive traps and other Iraqi explosives, as well as chemical and biological materials that are in Kuwait, in the Iraq area in which forces are present temporarily present forces of the Member States that cooperate with Kuwait in accordance with resolution 678 (1990) and in the adjacent waters.
4. Recognize that, during the necessary period for the Iraq to comply with the provisions of paragraphs 2 and 3 that precede, the provisions of paragraph 2 of Resolution 678 (1990) retains its validity.
5. The decision of Kuwait and of the Member States that cooperate with Kuwait in accordance with resolution 678 (1990) to allow access to Iraqi prisoners of war and immediately begin to immediately start the terms of the Third Geneva Agreement of 1949 and with the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
6. Ask all member states, as well as the United Nations, specialized organizations and other international organizations of the United Nations System, to take the necessary measures to cooperate with the Government and the people of Kuwait in the reconstruction of the country.
7. Decide that the Iraq notifies the Secretary General and the Security Council once he has adopted the measures established above.
8. He decides that, in order to ensure the rapid establishment of a definitive cessation of hostilities, he will continue to actively deal with the matter.“
Continue with:
References
- Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia (2023). “Persian Gulf War”. Britannica Encyclopedia
https://www.britannica.com/ - Palmowski, J. (2000). “Gulf War (Second)”. To Dictionary of Twentieth-Century World History. Oxford University Press.
- Van Dijk, R., Gray, WG, Savranskaya, S., Suri, J., & Zhai, Q. (eds.). (2013). “Iraq.” Encyclopedia of the Cold War. Routledge.
