Kuwait History

KUWAIT KUWAIT HISTORYHISTORYBy Mr. By Mr. NovickNovick

In the Beginning….• In 1716 the Bani Utbah Tribe migrated across the Arabian

Peninsula and settled in what is now Kuwait City.• It is unclear what brought this migration, but the Arabian

(Persian) Gulf offered a break from their nomadic ways.• Initially the area was known as Guraine; the area would

later become known as Kuwait meaning “little fort”, a derivative of the Persian language.

Early Life in Kuwait The Persian Gulf offered fish & pearls and there

were ports from which the Kuwaitis could export goods.

Their culture changed from nomads to pearl divers and seafaring traders.

Initially Kuwait was very poor - people lived in mud homes, and poverty combined with the hot desert climate led to short life-spans.

The Al Sabahs No written record of the

first rulers of Kuwait exists.

The 1st reference comes in 1752 when a tribal council elects Sabah Bin Jaber to administer justice. (Becomes first Sheikh)

The Sabah family was held in high esteem and thought to be fair minded and impartial.

The European Connection

In 1897, fearing attack from the Turks (Ottoman Empire), Kuwait asks and receives aid from Great Britain.

In 1898 Kuwait becomes a British Protectorate. Great Britain gains control over Kuwait’s foreign

policy in return for military protection. Kuwait would be caught in a political tug-of-war

for the next 20 years between the Ottoman Emp. And G.B.

How do we know where it starts and stops?

In 1918 the end of World War I brought the defeat of the Ottoman Empire.

Great Britain, France, and Russia dissolved the Ottoman Empire into territories.

In 1923 Percy Cox, the British High Commissioner in Iraq, drew up a new map, starting what would be a century of border disputes between Iraq, Saudi-Arabia and Kuwait.

In 1938 Oil was discovered in Kuwait, however with the outbreak of WWII, production was put on hold.

On June 30, 1946 the first oil tap was turned creating an economic boom.

In 1950 Amir Abdullah al-Salem al-Sabah takes rule. He creates the greatest welfare state the world has ever seen.

Free housing Free Education Guaranteed employment Free “Cradle to Grave”

healthcareSheikh Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah turns a silver wheel to start Kuwait’s first crude oil export. ~

June 30th, 1946

Oil!!!“Courage, determination and hard-

work are all very nice, but not so nice as an oil well in your backyard.”

~ Mason Cooley

Independence! On June 19th, 1961

Kuwait gains its independence from Great Britain.

G.B. and Kuwait would keep strong relations.

Sheikh Abdullah al Salem al Sabah & William Loss signing independence document.

Trouble Brewing w/ Iraq 1 week later, the Iraqi leader

claims Kuwait is an Iraqi territory. He believed they were both under the same province during all pre-existing rule (Ottoman, Abbasid, Persian, etc.) – PRE – 1716 Migration. He sends troops to the border.

British troops again arrive for protection.

The Arab League (formed in 1945) refutes Iraq’s claims and accepts Kuwait as a member state. Iraq withdraws its army.

2 British Marines Prepare for Possible Iraqi Invasion

~ 1961

Vs.

Why can’t we all just get along?

Be careful of what you wish for – (cause you just might get it)

Iran becomes determined to replace secular leaders in Arab republics with more religious people. They soon become an enemy of Kuwait.

When Iraq and Iran engage in a 9 year war (1980-1988) Kuwaitis back the lesser of two evils – Saddam Hussein’s Iraq.

Kuwait provides Iraq w/ over $5 Billion U.S. Dollars

In 1979 Fundamentalist Islam Sweeps through Iran. – Ayatollah Khomeini is the new leader.

Ayatollah Khomeini Saddam Hussein

This Guy Or This Guy

Why Would Iraq Attack Kuwait? In 1989 Saddam Hussein

accused Kuwait of Slant-Drilling the Rumailah oil field, ruining many Iraqi oil wells.

Hussein accused Kuwait of using this “bonus oil” to flood the international oil market driving prices down.

Kuwait demanded repayment of over $40 Billion U.S. that it had loaned Iraq to fund their war w/ Iran.

Hussein complained that the borders between Iraq and Kuwait were drawn in colonial times by colonial powers.

Rumailah oil field

Invasion of Kuwait On August 2, 1990 @ 2:00 A.M. Iraq

launched an invasion into Kuwait; the Kuwaiti military was caught unprepared.

Initially The Kuwaiti Armed Forces (KAF) fought valiantly but were vastly outnumbered. - 35th Armored Brigade fought bravely near Jahra.

The KAF was forced to evacuate to Saudi-Arabia and Bahrain.

Amir Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah fled to Saudi, while his half brother Sheikh Fahad Al-Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah stayed to defend his home. He was later shot and killed.

Occupation & Response By August 4th, Kuwait had

fallen under complete control of Iraqi occupying forces.

Some Kuwaitis fled, but most stayed. Kuwaitis formed resistance groups, and fought occupation through both public demonstrations and military attacks.

The United Nations responded by condemning the invasion and demanding a withdrawal of Iraqi troops. – They placed economic sanctions on Iraq. Saddam Hussein refused to back down.

“In Kuwait, everyone from children to old men resisted. There were no Kuwaiti puppets which Iraq could use to

form a government. Every Kuwaiti was in the resistance.”

~ Ahmar ar-Rahmani, Lieutenant-Colonel Kuwait Army

Kuwaiti resistance leaflet

Operation Desert Shield The U.S. was worried Iraq

would invade Saudi-Arabia (S.A.)

On August 7th, President George H. Bush (NOT George W. Bush) moved U.S. troops into S.A.

The U.S. assembled a coalition of forces to join in opposing Iraq. 34 countries contributed military support.

American soldiers undergoing chemical training in Saudi Arabia in November 1990 during Operation Desert Shield.

The CoalitionAfghanistan – 300 TroopsAustralia – 1,800 TroopsBahrain – 400 Personnel, 36 AircraftBangladesh – 6,000 TroopsBelgium – 2 Minesweepers, 2 landing

ships Britain – 43,000 Troops, 168 Tanks,

6 Destroyers, 70 JetsCanada – 4,500 Troops, 24 Bombers Czechoslovakia – 200 Chemical

Warfare SpecialistsEgypt – 40,000 TroopsFrance – 18,000 Troops, 40 TanksGermany – 18 Alpha JetsGreece – 200 TroopsHonduras – 150 TroopsHungary – 1 Medical Unit

Italy – 3 Frigates, 10 Tornado JetsMorocco – 13,000 TroopsNew Zealand – 50 Medical soldiersNiger – 500 TroopsOman – 25,500 Troops, 63 airplanesPakistan – 4,900 TroopsPoland – 1 Hospital ShipQatar – 2,600 TroopsRomania – 180 Chemical Weapons ExpertsSaudi-Arabia – 118,000 Troops, 550 TanksSouth Korea – 5 C130 Transport Planes, 1

Medical UnitSyria – 17,000 Troops, 300 TanksU.A.E. – 40,000 Troops, 80 PlanesU.S.A. – 540,000 Troops, 4,000 Tanks, 1,700

Helicopters, 1,800 Airplanes, 6 Aircraft Carriers, Classified #

of Submarines

Operation Desert Storm On January 17th, 1991

Coalition forces began the attack on Iraq.

Iraqi forces were quickly devastated by allied air power. As a desperate final attempt to break up the coalition, Iraqi forces launched missiles into Israel.

The Coalition held strong, & on February 26th Iraqi troops began to retreat out of Kuwait setting fire to Kuwaiti oil fields as they left. USAF Aircraft of the 335th Fighter Squadron (F-16, F-

15C, F-15E) fly over Kuwaiti oil fires, set by retreating Iraqi army – 1991.

In Honor Of Those Who Fought…. On April 6th, 1991 President

Bush declares Kuwait liberated.

Coalition Casualties:U.S. – 113

Great Britain – 38Saudi Arabia – 18

Egypt – 10UAE – 6Syria – 3

Kuwait – 1

Iraq Casualties 20,000 – 200,000

(Estimates Vary)Kuwait Liberation Tower

Key People & Terms Secular Ottoman Empire Fundamentalism Foreign Policy Welfare State George H. Bush Rumailah Oil Field Saddam Hussein

Ayatollah Khomeini Amir Abdullah al-Salem al-

Sabah Sabah Bin Jaber I Protectorate Arab League Economic Sanctions Coalition Liberation Occupation Desert Storm