aug 2, 1990 - Persian Gulf War (copy)
Description:
in 1990, Iraq invaded neighboring Kuwait, a small oil-producing nation on the Persian Gulf. Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein wanted control of Kuwait oil fields and better access to the Persian Gulf shipping routes. Hussein thought neighboring Arab countries would support his invasion. But Saudi Arabia feared Iraq would move on from Kuwait and invade Saudi territory. Saudi Arabia turned to the United States for help. Saudi Arabia was an American ally, and the US government worried Iraqi control of Middle Eastern oil would eventually limit its supply.In January 1990, the US military led a group of nations to drive Iraqi troops out of Kuwait. But on their way out of Kuwait, Iraqis set fire to oil wells and hinted they possessed "weapons of mass destruction" that would hurt the U.S. greatly. Others still believed that Hussein was hiding "WMDs".
Added to timeline:
U.S. presence and interest in Southwest Asia
Date:
