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Conflict and tension in the Gulf and Afghanistan, 1990–2009

GCSE History revision notes, key terms and practice questions.

The Gulf War, 1990–91

  • Saddam Hussein's Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990, partly over oil and debts. The UN demanded Iraq leave.
  • A US-led coalition, including Britain, attacked in Operation Desert Storm (January–February 1991) and freed Kuwait. Saddam stayed in power and crushed uprisings; no-fly zones followed.

Afghanistan, the Taliban and 9/11

  • The Taliban took Kabul in 1996 and gave shelter to al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden. Al-Qaeda carried out the 9/11 attacks on the USA (11 September 2001).
  • A US-led invasion (October 2001) removed the Taliban. NATO's ISAF force tried to rebuild the country under Hamid Karzai. British troops fought in Helmand from 2006.

The Iraq War, 2003–09

  • The USA and Britain invaded Iraq in March 2003, claiming Saddam had weapons of mass destruction (none were found). Saddam was captured in December 2003 and executed in 2006.
  • An insurgency followed, with fighting between groups. British troops based around Basra left Iraq in 2009.

Key terms

Operation Desert Storm
The 1991 US-led attack to free Kuwait.
Taliban
The Islamist group that ruled most of Afghanistan from 1996.
Al-Qaeda
The terrorist group led by Osama bin Laden.
9/11
The attacks on the USA on 11 September 2001.
WMD
Weapons of mass destruction, which Iraq was claimed to have.
Insurgency
Armed rebellion against a government or occupying force.

Quick questions on Conflict and tension in the Gulf and Afghanistan, 1990–2009

Which country did Iraq invade in August 1990?
Kuwait: The UN demanded Iraq withdraw.
What was Operation Desert Storm (1991)?
The US-led attack to free Kuwait: Britain was part of the coalition.
Who gave shelter to al-Qaeda in Afghanistan?
The Taliban: The Taliban took Kabul in 1996.
What led to the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001?
The 9/11 attacks: The Taliban refused to hand over bin Laden.
Which Afghan province did British troops fight in from 2006?
Helmand: Many British soldiers were killed there.
What reason was given for invading Iraq in 2003?
Claims that Saddam had weapons of mass destruction: No such weapons were found.
When was Saddam Hussein captured?
December 2003: He was executed in 2006.
When did British troops leave Iraq?
2009: They had been based around Basra.

Practise Conflict and tension in the Gulf and Afghanistan, 1990–2009: 10 questions

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