In 1988, the United Nations enforced a cease-fire between Iraq and Iran in order to stop the constant aggression between the two countries. However, by mid-1990, the nations still had not established a peace treaty. This led to tensions in the Middle East, mostly formed off of fear that Iraq would invade another country. Not surprisingly, Saddam Hussein, the President of Iraq, wanted to acquire Kuwait's oil reserves on the grounds that the country was siphoning oil from the common border shared by the two countries. Kuwait had produced hundreds of billions of barrels of oil every year for the past couple of decades, but that year, Kuwait's production was far in excess of the predicted quota. In result, Iraqi oil prices decreased and Saddam Hussein saw the economy decreasing. This was a perfect opportunity to invade a country that he already desired to rid from existence. However, this violation was not constituted and outrageous. Hussein also justified the invasion by saying that Kuwait was only a part of Iraq. However, this was instantly disproven. "In justifying his invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, Saddam Hussein claimed it was an artificial state carved out of the Iraqi coast by western colonialists; in fact, Kuwait had been internationally recognized as a separate entity before Iraq itself was created by Britain under a League of Nations mandate after World War I" (History.com).
Hussein also began gathering military troops near Kuwait, in order to prepare for a future mass invasion. The United States unusually did not engage in any action when the Iraqis amassed troops near the border of Kuwait. However, when they did cross the border and attack Kuwait City, the U.S. immediately condemned the invasion and called a United Nations meeting. On August 3rd of 1990, the U.N. Security Council called for Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait, and three days later, the king of Saudi Arabia met with the United States' secretary of defense to discuss defensive action and military assistance. Saudi Arabia and Israel were also threatened by the invasion since they were also in close proximity to the imminent danger. Therefore, both of these countries assisted as much as they could to eventually crush the Iraqi cause.
Hussein also began gathering military troops near Kuwait, in order to prepare for a future mass invasion. The United States unusually did not engage in any action when the Iraqis amassed troops near the border of Kuwait. However, when they did cross the border and attack Kuwait City, the U.S. immediately condemned the invasion and called a United Nations meeting. On August 3rd of 1990, the U.N. Security Council called for Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait, and three days later, the king of Saudi Arabia met with the United States' secretary of defense to discuss defensive action and military assistance. Saudi Arabia and Israel were also threatened by the invasion since they were also in close proximity to the imminent danger. Therefore, both of these countries assisted as much as they could to eventually crush the Iraqi cause.
Initially, sanctions were used in order to intimidate Iraq to give up a pointless fight. These sanctions included limits on transactions from citizens of the United States. They were not allowed to buy anything from Iraq and were not able to do any business with them. Additionally, all funds from the American government were immediately stopped. This also meant all funds toward government accounts in Iraqi banks were confiscated.
After Saddam Hussein heeded no warning to any sanctions, the United Nations and the United States organized a coalition to travel to the Middle East and eliminate the threat. A total of 32 countries from the United Nations joined the U.S. in the fight against Iraq. The stability of the world's oil economy depended on the victory over Iraq. Therefore, countries such as Great Britain, France, Egypt, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and many more allied with the U.S. in order to ensure economic stability. Another reason that so many countries objected to this invasion was because it was unprovoked and unnecessary violence on another peaceful country. As the allied countries prepared for war, the first stage of the U.S. plan went into action-Operation Desert Shield.
After Saddam Hussein heeded no warning to any sanctions, the United Nations and the United States organized a coalition to travel to the Middle East and eliminate the threat. A total of 32 countries from the United Nations joined the U.S. in the fight against Iraq. The stability of the world's oil economy depended on the victory over Iraq. Therefore, countries such as Great Britain, France, Egypt, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and many more allied with the U.S. in order to ensure economic stability. Another reason that so many countries objected to this invasion was because it was unprovoked and unnecessary violence on another peaceful country. As the allied countries prepared for war, the first stage of the U.S. plan went into action-Operation Desert Shield.