1991 in Iraq

1991 in Iraq
Year	1991
Country	Iraq
Capital	Baghdad
Leader title1	Saddam Hussein
Leader title2	Taha Yassin Ramadan

1991 in Iraq

1991 in Iraq saw the culmination of the Gulf War coalition campaign against Iraq and the rapid shift from conventional conflict to internal uprisings, mass displacement, and widespread reprisals. The year combined international actions by United States, United Kingdom, France, Soviet Union, Turkey and Saudi Arabia with regional dynamics involving Kuwait, Iran, Syria and Jordan, while Iraqi leadership under Saddam Hussein reasserted control through security services and Ba'ath Party mechanisms.

Incumbents

- President: Saddam Hussein (also Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council) - Vice Presidents: Taha Yassin Ramadan; Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri - Prime Minister: Saadoun Hammadi (until March); Ibrahim al-Jaafari (acting, later years) - Minister of Defense: Saddam Hussein (consolidated command) - Deputy Prime Minister: Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti - Governor of Baghdad Governorate: Ali Hassan al-Majid

Major Events

Iraq faced the Gulf War air campaign starting in January, large-scale coalition Operation Desert Storm strikes, and the subsequent ground offensive leading to the liberation of Kuwait City and liberation operations involving XVIII Airborne Corps, VII Corps, Royal Air Force, French Air Force and USS Nimitz (CVN-68). In February and March, the uprising in Kurdistan Region tribal areas and the Shia revolt in Basra and Najaf confronted Iraqi forces. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) passed resolutions constraining Iraq's military and WMD programs, while United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) foundations were debated. Regional diplomacy featured meetings with King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, King Hussein of Jordan, and negotiations involving James Baker and Dick Cheney.

Gulf War and Aftermath

Coalition operations executed Operation Desert Storm with combined arms by United States Central Command, Royal Marines, French Army, Saudi Arabian National Guard and Qatar Armed Forces, employing M1 Abrams, Challenger 1, AMX-30 and air assets from USAF and RAF squadrons. The campaign culminated in the liberation of Kuwait and a ceasefire monitored by United Nations mandates. Post-conflict bombing damaged Basra, Nasiriyah, Fallujah-adjacent infrastructure and Iraqi oil facilities such as those in Burgan and Rumaila saw sabotage and fires. The Coalition imposed No-fly zone discussions and sanctions via the UN Security Council, influencing Iraq's foreign relations with Turkey and Iran and generating debate in European Community capitals.

Domestic Politics and Repression

Following the uprisings, Saddam Hussein's regime used elements of the Iraqi Intelligence Service, Mukhabarat, Special Republican Guard and security ministries to quash revolts in Kurdistan Region, Sulaymaniyah, Erbil, Mosul and southern cities including Basra, Najaf and Karbala. Notable figures during reprisals included Ali Hassan al-Majid ("Chemical Ali") and Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri in organizing counterinsurgency. Mass arrests, summary executions and enforced disappearances targeted members of the Ba'ath Party, tribal leaders, Dawa Party affiliates, and clerical figures linked to Ayatollah Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr's legacy and the Shi'a clergy in Najaf. International criticism came from Amnesty International offices and delegations to the United Nations Human Rights Commission.

Economy and Infrastructure

The Iraqi dinar collapsed in value following UN sanctions (Iraq), the Gulf War bombing, and disruptions to oil export terminals at Basra Oil Terminal and Kirkuk Oilfield. Key infrastructure damage included Highway 1 networks, rail links to Basra and Baghdad rail yards, and electrical grids centered at Hartha Power Station and Samawah plants. The Ministry of Oil (Iraq) faced operational crises, while the Iraqi Airways fleet and Iraqi National Library suffered losses. Humanitarian import controls under UNSCR 661 and subsequent resolutions constrained reconstruction and public services.

Social and Humanitarian Impact

Mass displacement created refugee flows into Turkey, Iran, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, with large camps in Sulaimaniyah Governorate and Erbil Governorate hosting Kurdish evacuees. The humanitarian situation prompted operations by UNHCR, International Committee of the Red Cross, World Food Programme, and Médecins Sans Frontières teams addressing malnutrition, cholera, and trauma. Reprisals in southern Iraq produced internally displaced persons in Maysan Governorate and Dhi Qar Governorate, while reports by Human Rights Watch documented civilian casualties, forced relocations, and damage to cultural sites including parts of Al Kadhimiya and Al-Ukhaidir Fortress.

Culture and Society

Cultural life was marked by disruptions to the Baghdad International Film Festival circuit and to institutions like the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra and Institute of Fine Arts (Baghdad). Iraqi literature and journalism faced censorship by the Ba'ath Party apparatus and Ministry of Information (Iraq), while exiled intellectuals in London, Paris, Tehran and Cairo produced critiques on the conflicts. Religious observance continued at shrines in Karbala and Najaf under heightened security, and tribal politics in Anbar Governorate and Diyala Governorate influenced local governance and social networks. Sports teams such as the Iraq national football team saw domestic leagues curtailed, with players relocating to clubs in Kuwait SC, Al-Zawraa SC and regional leagues.

Category:Years of the 20th century in Iraq