IRAQ WAR, IRAN & US SCANDAL | History of Iraq Eps. 2

Summary

This video covers the complex and multi-faceted origins of the Iran-Iraq War, focusing on Saddam Hussein's rise to power in Iraq, the geopolitical tensions following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, and the territorial disputes over the Shatt al-Arab waterway and the oil-rich Khuzestan region. It highlights the brutal strategies used by both sides, including chemical weapons, and explores the involvement of global powers like the U.S. and the Soviet Union. The war culminates in a stalemate, with massive casualties and lasting political ramifications, setting the stage for Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait and Saddam Hussein’s eventual execution in 2006.

Takeaways

• 😀 Saddam Hussein became the president of Iraq in 1979, succeeding Hasan al-Bakr, and played a pivotal role in the Iraq-Iran War.
• 😀 The 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, led by Ayatollah Khomeini, threatened Iraq, as Saddam feared the spread of Shiite revolution in Iraq.
• 😀 The U.S. was concerned about Iran's growing influence in the Middle East and supported Iraq to curb Iran's power and maintain its influence, especially in oil management.
• 😀 Saddam Hussein’s early life included violent acts, such as murder, and his rise to power was heavily influenced by his affiliation with the Ba'ath Party.
• 😀 The root causes of the Iraq-Iran War were multifaceted, including territorial disputes, ambitions for regional control, and ideological differences between Saddam and Khomeini.
• 😀 Saddam Hussein sought to control key oil-rich areas, such as the Shatt al-Arab waterway and Iran's Khuzestan province, which were central to the conflict.
• 😀 The war, which began in September 1980, saw Iraq launching chemical attacks and attempting to take advantage of Iran's post-revolutionary instability.
• 😀 Iran responded with human wave attacks, relying on mass mobilization of its people and military forces, and faced support from countries like Libya and Syria.
• 😀 The war also escalated into a tanker war, targeting oil export routes and involving international powers like the U.S. and the Soviet Union providing support to Iraq.
• 😀 The war resulted in devastating casualties, with over 1 million deaths in Iran and 200,000 in Iraq, and left both countries politically and economically weakened, paving the way for further conflict in the region.

Q & A

What led to Saddam Hussein becoming president of Iraq?

Saddam Hussein became president of Iraq on July 16, 1979, after orchestrating a coup that ousted President Hasan al-Bakr. Saddam had already risen through the ranks of the Ba'ath Party, gaining power through political maneuvering and the elimination of rivals.

How did the 1979 Iranian Revolution impact Saddam Hussein's position?

The Iranian Revolution of 1979, which overthrew the Shah and brought Ayatollah Khomeini to power, deeply alarmed Saddam Hussein. He feared the spread of Shiite revolutionary ideals to Iraq, where the Shiite population could pose a threat to his Sunni-dominated rule. This fear became one of the primary factors leading to the Iraq-Iran War.

What was the significance of the Shatt al-Arab waterway in the conflict?

The Shatt al-Arab waterway, which forms the border between Iraq and Iran, was a crucial channel for oil exports. Saddam Hussein sought to control it by rejecting the 1975 Algiers Agreement, which had established joint control between Iraq and Iran. The dispute over this waterway, along with territorial claims over Iran's Khuzestan province, contributed to the outbreak of the Iraq-Iran War.

What was Saddam Hussein’s vision for the Middle East?

Saddam Hussein, through the Ba'ath Party, envisioned uniting the entire Middle East and North Africa under one banner. He sought to expand Iraq’s influence and was particularly concerned about the spread of Shiite revolution, which he believed could undermine his authority.

How did Iraq’s military strategy differ from Iran’s during the early stages of the war?

Iraq, equipped with more advanced weaponry and backed by the U.S., initially used chemical weapons and airstrikes to weaken Iran. Iran, lacking such military resources, relied on human wave attacks and volunteer militias, such as the Basij, to fight back. This resulted in a brutal and prolonged conflict, with both sides suffering heavy casualties.

What role did external powers play in the Iraq-Iran War?

External powers played a significant role in the war. The U.S. and its allies supported Iraq militarily and financially, fearing the spread of Iranian revolution. Meanwhile, Iran received some support from Syria and Libya. The U.S. also secretly sold weapons to Iran during the Iran-Contra affair, revealing the complex nature of international alliances during the war.

What tactics did Iraq employ in the war at sea?

Iraq expanded the war to the sea by targeting Iran’s oil exports. It attacked Iranian tankers and ports in an effort to cripple Iran's economy and force it to negotiate. This escalation led to the so-called 'Tanker War', which involved both nations attacking oil tankers and shipping routes.

What was the significance of the 1988 ceasefire between Iraq and Iran?

The 1988 ceasefire, brokered by the United Nations, marked the end of the eight-year Iraq-Iran War. Both sides had suffered immense casualties, with Iraq losing around 200,000 soldiers and Iran over 1 million. The war had reached a stalemate, and the ceasefire ended one of the longest and bloodiest conflicts in the region.

How did the Iran-Iraq War influence the Gulf War?

The Iran-Iraq War left Iraq economically weakened and politically isolated, which set the stage for its invasion of Kuwait in 1990. This invasion prompted the Gulf War, in which a U.S.-led coalition intervened to expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait, further destabilizing the region and leading to Saddam Hussein’s eventual downfall.

What were the long-term political consequences of the Iraq-Iran War for Iraq?

The Iraq-Iran War entrenched Saddam Hussein's regime but left Iraq politically isolated and economically strained. The war exacerbated sectarian tensions, especially with the Shiite population. This instability contributed to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990, the Gulf War, and eventually led to Saddam’s execution in 2006 following the U.S. invasion of Iraq.