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