1988
Iraq retaliates against the Kurds for supporting Iran during the Iran-Iraq war, and through "Operation Anfal" slaughters civilians or forces them to relocate. Thousands flee to Turkey (Feb.–Sept.).
Iran-Iraq war ends in a stalemate. An estimated 1.5 million died in the conflict (Aug. 20).
1990
August 2, Iraq invades Kuwait.
August 9, UN places sanctions.
The Persian Gulf War begins when Operation Desert Storm launched by a U.S.-led coalition of 32 countries under the leadership of U.S. Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf. A campaign of air strikes against Iraq begins (Jan. 16–17).
Ground forces invade Kuwait and Iraq, vanquish the Iraqi army, and liberate Kuwait. President George H. W. Bush declares a cease-fire on the fourth day (Feb. 24–28).
Shiites and Kurds rebel, encouraged by the United States. Iraq quashes the rebellions, killing thousands (March).
Formal cease-fire is signed. Saddam Hussein accepts UN resolution agreeing to destroy weapons of mass destruction and allowing UN inspectors to monitor the disarmament (April 6).
A no-fly zone is established in Northern Iraq to protect the Kurds from Saddam Hussein (April 10).
This would be followed by a successful Oil for Food Program by the UN that we know today contained Saddam all too well. A successful Oil for Food Program in the face of corruption. It was a huge program, it was destined for issues of corruption. Many countries, many borders, too many rules to bend, etc., etc., etc. If I am not mistaken, it is still in effect today. It was George Walker Bush that asked the United Nations to continue the program. Let's face it, Bush never planned for any domestic bliss for the now conqured Iraqi nation. All Bush and Cheney had their eyes on were the oil fields, within days of the invasion, Halliburton moved to the Iraqi oil fields and took over operation, all in the name of securing them.
Right.
Securing the oil wealth of Iraq without securing the safety of the people of Iraq. One might want to ask oneself, what good has the oil wealth done to secure the Iraqi people to date?
