United Nations Security Council Resolution 660

United Nations Security Council Resolution 660 was adopted on 2 August 1990, the same day Iraq launched a full-scale invasion and annexation of its neighbor, the State of Kuwait. The resolution, passed under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, determined the invasion constituted a breach of international peace and security. It demanded an immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Iraqi forces to positions held prior to 1 August 1990, setting the legal and diplomatic stage for the subsequent Gulf War.

Background

The immediate catalyst for the resolution was the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, which began in the early hours of 2 August 1990. Tensions had been escalating for months over disputes concerning oil production quotas and financial debts related to the Iran–Iraq War. The Government of Iraq, led by President Saddam Hussein, accused Kuwait of slant drilling and waging economic warfare. The rapid military assault by the Iraqi Armed Forces overwhelmed the Kuwaiti Armed Forces, leading to the occupation of Kuwait City and the flight of the Al Sabah ruling family. The international community, led by the United States and the Soviet Union, reacted swiftly, bringing the matter before the United Nations Security Council in an emergency session.

Provisions

The operative paragraphs of Resolution 660 were concise and direct. It condemned the Iraqi invasion as a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Kuwait. The core demand was for Iraq to withdraw all its forces immediately and unconditionally to the positions they occupied on 1 August. Furthermore, the resolution called upon Iraq and Kuwait to begin intensive negotiations for the resolution of their differences, urging the support of the Arab League and other regional actors. The invocation of Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter was significant, as it provided the legal basis for all subsequent enforcement measures, including the authorization of the use of force in later resolutions like United Nations Security Council Resolution 678.

Voting

The vote on Resolution 660 was 14 in favor, none against, with one abstention. The Yemeni representative abstained, reflecting the complex political divisions within the Arab world regarding the crisis. The remaining members of the Council, including the five permanent members—the United States, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, France, and the People's Republic of China—all voted in favor. This rare display of unanimity among the major powers, particularly during the final stages of the Cold War, underscored the gravity with which the international community viewed the invasion.

Aftermath and impact

Iraq's defiance of Resolution 660 led directly to a series of escalating UN resolutions that imposed a comprehensive economic and trade embargo through United Nations Security Council Resolution 661. The failure to comply ultimately resulted in the authorization for member states to use "all necessary means" in United Nations Security Council Resolution 678, leading to the international military coalition action known as Operation Desert Storm. The resolution established the legal framework for the Kuwaiti resistance movement and solidified international opposition to the Iraqi occupation. The precedent set by the swift Chapter VII response influenced later United Nations actions in conflicts such as the Bosnian War and established a model for collective security responses to acts of aggression.

See also

* Iraq–Kuwait relations * United Nations Security Council Resolution 661 * United Nations Security Council Resolution 678 * Gulf War * Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter

Category:United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning Iraq Category:United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning Kuwait Category:1990 United Nations Security Council resolutions Category:Gulf War