In the early hours of 2 August 1990, Iraqi troops stormed across the border into Kuwait, launching a full-scale invasion that would trigger one of the most significant geopolitical crises of the late 20th century. The move, ordered by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, stunned the world and drew swift international condemnation. Within hours, Kuwait City was under Iraqi control, and the emirate’s ruling Al-Sabah family had fled. The brief but brutal invasion marked the start of a conflict that would draw in a vast multinational coalition and alter the balance of power in the Gulf region.
Strategic motives and economic tensions
Iraq’s rationale for the invasion was rooted in a mix of territorial claims, financial grievances, and regional power ambitions. Saddam accused Kuwait of overproducing oil in violation of OPEC quotas, thereby lowering prices and harming Iraq’s post-Iran–Iraq War economy. Iraq also alleged that Kuwait was stealing oil from the disputed Rumaila oil field. Beyond these accusations, Saddam viewed the annexation of Kuwait as a strategic gain: a path to greater regional dominance and control over a larger share of the world’s oil reserves.
The international response and the path to war
The United Nations reacted swiftly. Resolutions condemning the invasion were passed within days, demanding Iraq’s immediate withdrawal. The US, under President George H. W. Bush, led a coalition of over 30 nations that began massing troops in Saudi Arabia. Dubbed Operation Desert Shield, the build-up would ultimately transition into Operation Desert Storm in January 1991—an aerial and ground offensive that liberated Kuwait in just over a month. The war showcased the power of Western military technology, while also igniting debates about post-Cold War interventionism.
Kuwait under occupation
During the seven-month occupation, Iraq installed a puppet government while looting billions of dollars’ worth of Kuwaiti assets. Human rights abuses were widespread, and environmental devastation followed as retreating Iraqi forces set over 600 oil wells ablaze. The occupation traumatised Kuwaiti society and left deep scars in the region. Many citizens were tortured, imprisoned, or disappeared, and entire neighbourhoods were ransacked.
Long-term consequences and regional legacy
The Gulf War reshaped Middle Eastern geopolitics. It established the United States as the dominant external power in the region, with a permanent military presence in the Gulf. Saddam Hussein remained in power, but under heavy sanctions and scrutiny. The war also sparked debate about the West’s reliance on oil-rich autocracies and prompted questions about sovereignty, intervention, and the role of the UN in conflict resolution. For Kuwait, the rebuilding process was swift but the psychological toll endured, shaping its domestic politics and foreign policy for decades.
REFH – Newshub, 2 August 2025
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