DESTROY OF IRAQ - Gulf War To Saddam's Execution | Last episode

Summary

This video script outlines the rise and fall of Saddam Hussein and Iraq’s involvement in the Gulf War, focusing on the geopolitical and economic turmoil. It discusses Iraq’s devastation after the war with Iran, its desperate financial state, and Saddam’s aggressive actions towards Kuwait, which led to Iraq’s invasion in 1990. The narrative progresses through the intervention of the U.S. and the Gulf coalition, the military response, and Iraq’s eventual defeat. The story culminates in Saddam Hussein's eventual capture and execution, as Iraq transitions into chaos, marking the start of a prolonged period of instability.

Takeaways

• 😀 Saddam Hussein's Iraq, before the Iran-Iraq war, was a powerful and wealthy nation, largely due to its oil resources.
• 😀 The Iran-Iraq war devastated Iraq politically, economically, and militarily, leading to huge financial losses and external debt.
• 😀 After the war, Iraq faced severe economic problems, with oil prices plummeting, making it unable to recover without significant foreign debt assistance.
• 😀 Iraq's demands to erase its foreign debt and seek compensation for losses were ignored by Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, leading to growing tensions.
• 😀 Iraq accused Kuwait of illegally drilling oil from shared reserves and demanded compensation and debt relief, but Kuwait refused.
• 😀 Iraq's unsuccessful diplomatic efforts escalated to military threats, which ultimately resulted in Iraq invading Kuwait on August 2, 1990.
• 😀 Iraq's invasion of Kuwait led to massive international condemnation, with the U.S. and its allies, including the U.K., preparing military action against Iraq.
• 😀 The UN passed Resolution 678, demanding Iraq withdraw from Kuwait by January 15, 1991, or face military action. Iraq ignored the deadline.
• 😀 On January 16, 1991, the U.S. and coalition forces launched Operation Desert Storm, a military offensive that swiftly destroyed Iraq's military defenses.
• 😀 Despite a desperate attempt to rally Arab support, Saddam Hussein's forces failed to gain assistance, and Iraq faced defeat in the Gulf War.
• 😀 The aftermath of the Gulf War led to Iraq's long-term destruction, heavy sanctions, and Saddam Hussein's eventual execution after being captured by U.S. forces in 2003.

Q & A

What were the primary reasons for Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990?

Iraq's invasion of Kuwait was primarily due to Iraq's financial struggles after the Iran-Iraq War, along with Iraq's accusations that Kuwait was stealing oil through slanted drilling techniques. Saddam Hussein sought debt relief and compensation from Kuwait, but his demands were ignored, leading to military action.

How did Iraq's economy suffer after the Iran-Iraq War?

After the Iran-Iraq War, Iraq's economy was severely weakened. Oil prices fell drastically, from $20 per barrel to $13.70, resulting in a loss of nearly $10 billion in revenue. Iraq was also burdened with significant foreign debt, requiring substantial financial resources for military and infrastructure rebuilding.

What role did the United States and its allies play during the Iraq-Kuwait crisis in 1990?

The United States and its allies, including the UK, intervened diplomatically and militarily to prevent Iraq from annexing Kuwait. They pushed for Iraq to withdraw through diplomatic channels and eventually led the coalition forces in Operation Desert Storm to repel Iraqi forces after Iraq ignored UN resolutions.

How did Saddam Hussein react to the international community's pressure after the invasion of Kuwait?

Saddam Hussein initially used diplomatic threats and military positioning to pressure Kuwait. When diplomacy failed, he launched a full military invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990, which led to the occupation of Kuwait by Iraqi forces. He also took human shields by detaining foreign workers, hoping it would prevent military intervention.

What were the consequences for Iraq after the Gulf War?

After the Gulf War, Iraq suffered devastating military losses, with thousands of soldiers killed and extensive damage to its infrastructure. Additionally, Iraq faced economic sanctions and a weapons embargo imposed by the UN. The country became politically isolated, and its future was marked by instability and chaos.

How did the September 11, 2001, attacks impact U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East?

The September 11 attacks led the U.S. to declare a global 'War on Terror,' targeting groups like al-Qaeda. The attacks were cited as a justification for military action against Afghanistan and Iraq, as the U.S. believed these countries were harboring terrorists or weapons of mass destruction.

Why did the United States invade Iraq in 2003?

The U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003 primarily due to allegations that Saddam Hussein's regime was harboring weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), specifically nuclear weapons. Despite lack of evidence for these claims, the U.S. and its allies pursued military action, leading to the eventual toppling of Saddam Hussein's government.

What was the outcome of the 2003 invasion of Iraq for Saddam Hussein?

Following the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Saddam Hussein's regime was toppled, and he went into hiding. After being captured in December 2003, he was tried for crimes against humanity and was executed in December 2006.

What did the United Nations do in response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait?

The United Nations condemned Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and passed Resolution 678, which gave Iraq a deadline to withdraw its forces. When Iraq failed to comply, the UN authorized military intervention, leading to the Gulf War and the eventual liberation of Kuwait by a U.S.-led coalition.

How did Saddam Hussein's relationship with Kuwait deteriorate before the invasion?

Before the invasion, Saddam Hussein's relationship with Kuwait worsened over accusations that Kuwait was stealing oil through slant drilling. Iraq also demanded the cancellation of its debts, which were largely incurred during the Iran-Iraq War. These demands were ignored by Kuwait, pushing Saddam Hussein towards military action.