United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM)
- Duration
- 9 June 1991 - 10 November 1998
- Military personnel
- 14
- Fatalities
- none
- Decorations
- none
Iraq invaded its neighbour Kuwait on 2 August 1990. On the same day, the UN Security Council demanded the unconditional withdrawal of Iraqi forces. A few days later, the Security Council proclaimed a trade embargo. In the following months, a coalition of several countries increased its military presence in the region, mainly in Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf. The United States led this coalition.
Desert Storm
Despite the show of force, Iraq did not withdraw from Kuwait. On 29 November 1990, the Security Council therefore authorised the coalition to use force if necessary to eject Iraq’s military units from Kuwait. Operation Desert Storm commenced on the night of 16 to 17 January 1991. After several weeks of bombing, a ground war was launched on 23 February. It lasted for 100 hours. The Iraqi army was defeated and ejected from Kuwait.
Peace settlement
After the war, the international community imposed a peace settlement. On 3 April 1991, the UN Security Council determined, among other things, that Iraq must comply with all international treaties that prohibited the production and use of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. In addition, strict limitations regarding the possession and development of long-range missiles were imposed on Iraq.
International monitoring
In effect, the international community placed Iraq under an international monitoring regime. 2 bodies kept a close eye on the country. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) monitored compliance with the provisions relating to nuclear weapons, while a newly established United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) focused on the destruction of Iraq’s biological and chemical weapons and missile technology.