Invasion of Kuwait facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Invasion of Kuwait |
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| Part of Gulf War | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
 Iraq |
 Kuwait |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
| Saddam Hussein Ali Hassan al-Majid |
Jaber III |
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| Strength | |||||||||
| 88,000 Forces | 16,000 Forces | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
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37+ Aircraft lost Other losses |
20 Aircraft lost
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The invasion of Kuwait was a quick military attack by Iraq on its neighbor, Kuwait, in 1990. Saddam Hussein, the leader of Iraq, started the invasion. He claimed that Kuwait was taking Iraq's oil by drilling into their oil fields from across the border.
On August 2, 1990, Iraq sent 88,000 soldiers and 750 tanks into Kuwait. Just two days later, Kuwait was completely taken over and surrendered. Saddam Hussein then announced that Kuwait was now part of Iraq, calling it the 19th province of Iraq. However, no other countries or the United Nations agreed with this.
Taking Over Kuwait's Oil
After Iraq took control of Kuwait, they quickly took over many of Kuwait's oil fields. They started taking the oil for Iraq. Many factories, businesses, and industries in Kuwait were also taken over by Iraqis.
Operation Desert Storm
Iraq occupied Kuwait for about seven months. Then, the United Nations decided to act. They formed a large group of countries, led by the United States, to free Kuwait from Iraq. This military action was called Operation Desert Storm.
Images for kids
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The Basra Vilayet of the Ottoman Empire in 1897. After the Anglo-Ottoman Convention of 1913, Kuwait was established as an autonomous kaza, or district, of the Ottoman Empire and a de facto protectorate of Great Britain.
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April Glaspie's first meeting with Saddam Hussein
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An Iraqi Type 69 tank on display at the site of the Al-Qurain Martyrdom
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A Kuwait M-84 tank during Operation Desert Shield in 1990. Kuwait continues to maintain strong relations with the coalition of the Gulf War.
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More than 600 Kuwaiti oil wells were set on fire by retreating Iraqi forces, causing massive environmental and economic damage to Kuwait.
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The oil fires caused were a result of the scorched earth policy of Iraqi military forces retreating from Kuwait
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Aerial view of oil wells on fire
