|
Kuwait Gulf War was one of the most devastating and life claiming wars of recent times. Initially the war was between Iraq and Kuwait but soon it involved the United States of America and many other countries. The chief reason behind the war was the dispute between Kuwait and Iraq over oil resources and the occupation of Kuwait by Iraq.
Kuwait had long been a part of the Ottoman Empire. In the year 1899 it gained protection from the British Empire and came under the British rule, maintaining its autonomy. Later in 1961 it attained independence from the British rule. Iraq tried to claim Kuwait but in 1963 recognized it as an independent nation. Though there were frequent conflicts at the Iraq and Kuwait borders the relation between the two nations smoothened during the war between Iraq and Iran, as Kuwait provided monetary help to Iraq.
However, Kuwait-Iraq relations deteriorated all the more as Iraq refused to pay the debts to Kuwait and blamed him of stealing oil from an oil reserve in the border. All these factors resulted in the Kuwait- Iraq war of 1990.
The Iraqi force of over 1, 00,000 experienced soldiers under Saddam Hussein attacked Kuwait early in the morning of 2nd August, 1990. The unprepared and inexperienced Kuwaiti forces were taken aback and in no time the capital of Kuwait, Kuwait City was captured and plundered by the Iraqis. The Iraqi troops inflicted much damage to the city. The Kuwait National Museum had been nearly burnt down and the artifacts seized by the force. Even the radio station of Kuwait had to be relocated for the time being.
On day five of the Iraqi invasion on Kuwait, the United Nations demanded withdrawal of Iraq from Kuwait without delay but intentional failure to do so, resulted in UN passing the Resolutions 600, 661, 662, 665, 678 and 686 against Iraq.
On 8th August, the US military troops joined in and the battle continued for about 7 months, before Iraq was defeated in February, 1991. February 19th, is observed each year as the Liberation Day in Kuwait. The Kuwait telecommunication tower has been named in honor of this day as the Liberation Tower.
|
