Iran Iraq War
Iraq
Ethnic population◦Arabs 2/3 population
◦Kurds 1/3 population Have own language and customs Want own state Suppressed in Iraq
People
Two Islamic sects◦ Shiite
3/5 of population Believe Muslim leader should be a
direct descendant of Mohammed
Religion
Sunni ◦ 2/5 of population◦ Believe leader should be a respected
leader of the community◦ Saddam Hussein belonged to this
group Main difference is over who
should lead the Muslim community!!!
Baath Party◦Party of Saddam Hussein◦Characteristics◦Secular group Non-religious government
◦Uses oil money for government projects
◦Hussein begins to eliminate opponents
Politics
Baath Party gains control of Iraq in 1963
1968 Saddam takes part in coup◦Named deputy to the new president◦Becomes deputy chairman of Baathist
Revolutionary Command Council
Saddam’s Rise to Power
Progressive politician◦Modernized Iraqi economy◦State welfare and development programs◦Oversaw seizure of oil interests
1976◦Saddam becomes general in Iraqi armed forces
◦Took increasing role as face of government
◦Architect of foreign policy◦De facto leader until 1979July 16 1979officially assumes presidency of Iraq
Causes◦Border disputes◦Fear of Shiite revolution Saddam was Sunni Feared impact of Iranian revolution Ayatollah Khomeini and Iranians were Shiite
◦Iraq wanted to assert itself as dominant Arab nation
Iran Iraq War 1980-1988
Goals for Iraq◦Remove Iranian leaders◦Gain oil and land Wanted access to Persian Gulf
◦Make Saddam a national hero
September 22, 1980◦Iraqi forces invade Iran
War lasts 8 years◦Oil fields and oil tankers attacked◦Mines placed in Persian Gulf ◦1987 – US Navy sends ships to protect tankers
Timeline of Events
Long, brutal war ◦use of chemical weapons on both sides
◦more than a million combined deaths
Several billion dollars in aid Sale of dual use technology
◦Technology used for both peaceful and military aims
Weapons Military Intelligence Special Operations training Why would the US support Iraq?
US Support of Iraq
Anti-Iranian sentiments Oil interests Desire to promote stability in both Persian Gulf and Middle East
Results in a Stalemate, UN cease-fire in 1988
U.S. puts sanctions on Iraq and decreases its support b/c of human rights violations
What next?
End to the war
