Iraq was hoping that an increase in oil prices would bring in revenue and help it repay its financial obligations so it demanded further reduction in the oil production quotas. However, the price rates were not an equal concern for Kuwait, which, according to Iraqi claims, was deliberately exceeding OPEC oil production and stealing barrels of oil from Iraq’s Rumaila oil fields.

Disputes over oil and debts translated into rising tensions that culminated in over 100 000 Iraqi soldiers backed up by 700 tanks invading Kuwait in the early morning hours of August 2, 1990. Iraqi jets bombed the capital of Kuwait and roadblocks were put in place trapping thousands of Kuwaitis and foreign nationals. The Emir and his family fled to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and within hours the Kuwait City was captured and a provincial government established. Acts of looting and human rights violations were recorded during Iraq’s 7 month-long occupation of Kuwait.

The invasion sparked unanimous condemnation from the world’s major powers. The US, which was greatly dependent on foreign oil resources and wanted to ensure a steady supply of cheap oil, had a vested interest in curbing the growing military force of Saddam and forcing him out of Kuwait. To this end, the UN Security Council denounced the Iraqi invasion by declaring Iraq’s annexation of Kuwait as void and null and calling for Iraq’s immediate withdrawal from Kuwait, but to no avail.

Saddam refused to abide by the ultimatum issued by the US to retreat all Iraqi troops from Kuwait by January 15 or bear the consequences of war. Against the backdrop of failed negotiations, a massive military assault led by the US and including forces from 32 nations was launched on Iraq on January 16, 1991. The heavily televised hostilities continued until late February and ended with the triumph of the Coalition forces and the expulsion of Iraq from Kuwaiti territories.

Today, after more than a two-decade legacy of war, progress is being made to mend the Iraqi-Kuwaiti ties and it is to be hoped that the after effects of the Iraqi invasion will be soon receding.

“Several Resons Why Saddam Hussein Invaded Iraq.” Apfn.org. N.p., 1 July 2004. Web

“1990: Iraq Invades Kuwait.” News.bbc.co.uk. N.p., n.d. Web.