Middle East 505
Narrative: On March 15, 1991, the United States warned Iraq that it would shoot
down any combat aircraft, after Iraqi forces engaged in helicopter attacks and
unleashed artillery against insurgents the day before. The United States, Great Britain,
and France committed to protecting the Kurdish population with the no-fly zone. The
allied coalition included 5,000 troops that engaged in a ground-based air attack force
that fought with the Iraqi Kurdish rebels against the Iraqi government troops. The Brit-
ish and French forces pulled out on October 10. On December 6, two Americans were
captured and jailed in Baghdad; they were released on January 2, 1992.
Coding changes: End Date changed from December 31, 1991. Outcome changed
from Unclear. Settlement changed from Unclear.
MID#3552
Dispute Number: 3552
Date(s): July 27, 1992 to December 23, 1993
Participants: 2 United States of America, 200 United Kingdom, 220 France,
365 Russia, 670 Saudi Arabia, 690 Kuwait/645 Iraq
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: Missing
Narrative: The United States threatened Iraq on July 27, 1992—if Iraq continued
to violate the UN-sanctioned ceasefire agreement, the United States would use force
to enforce it. The United States also ordered the deployment of antimissiles systems
in Kuwait and Bahrain. Beginning on August 3, the United States held joint military
exercises with Kuwaiti forces in Kuwait. Britain and France then joined the US-led
effort, calling Iraq’s attacks on Shiite Muslims “genocide” and participating in enforc-
ing a no-fly zone over highly populated Shiite regions. On December 23, 1993, Brit-
ain, France, and the United States again warned Iraq—at the United Nations—that
they would face severe consequences if Iraq fired on the international patrol in Kurd-
ish Northern Iraq again. This followed an attack that took place a few days earlier on
British troops.
MID#3568
Started in October 1992. See the narrative in the 645 Iraq/690 Kuwait dyad dispute
list.
MID#4299
Dispute Number: 4299
Date(s): June 26, 1993 to June 28, 1993
Participants: 2 United States of America/645 Iraq
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: 1–25 deaths
Narrative: US intelligence concluded that Iraq’s forces had tried to assassinate
American President George H. W. Bush during his visit to Kuwait on June 6, 1993.