IRAN-IRAQ WAR 1980-8

Main causes of the Iran-Iraq War

1. Iranian Revolution (1979) inspired Shiite insurgency in Iraq; Khomeini called for the overthrow of Sunni Hussein.

2. Iranian anti-Iraqi propaganda and support for the Kurds against Hussein.

3. Long-standing border disputes and Iraq's fear of Iran's influence on its Shia majority. 4. Hussein's desire to gain valuable Iranian territory and ports for oil exports.

Timing of Iraq's invasion

1. Iran's economy was weak after the revolution. 2. Western trade boycott after the US embassy hostage situation. 3. Iranian army was demoralised.

Early stages of the Iran-Iraq War

• 1980: Iraq invaded Iran, facing little resistance initially. - By 1981: Iraq was forced back to its borders due to Iran's larger population and waves of recruits willing to be martyrs.

Iran's response to Iraq's ceasefire offer in 1982

• Iran rejected the ceasefire and recaptured all its land and ports within two years.

Fighting characterized by 1984

• Trench warfare along the border.

Foreign nations' intervention in the Iran-Iraq War

1. Saudi Arabia, Gulf States, USA, France, and Germany supported Iraq with money and arms. 2. Chemical weapons were used during the war. 3. A UN-brokered ceasefire ended combat on August 8, 1988.

Key outcomes of the Iran-Iraq War

1. Iran's economy was in ruins; loss of ability to import goods. 2. No peace treaty was signed, just a truce, with both sides continuing to rearm. 3. Massive casualties: nearly 1 million Iranians and 500,000 Iraqis died. 4. Billions of dollars in damages with no territorial gains for either side. 5. Iraq faced crippling debts and reduced oil revenue. 6. Iraq's largely Shia army became a threat to Saddam due to high costs and potential unrest if disbanded.

Arab states' support for Iraq

• Arab states resented the Iranian Revolution and feared Shiite uprisings inspired by Iran.

Human and financial toll of the Iran-Iraq War

• Nearly 1 million Iranians and 500,000 Iraqis died. - Billions of dollars in damages, with both economies severely weakened.

Outcome for Iraq after the war

• Retained Arab world support but faced crippling debts and civil unrest. - Oil revenue decreased, and the expensive Shia-dominated army posed a threat to Saddam's regime.

Territorial changes from the Iran-Iraq War

• No territorial changes; the war ended with no real gains for either side.