Why did Saddam Hussein invade Iran in September 1980?
In 1979, in Iran, the leader known as the Shah was overthrown and replaced by the Ayatollah Khomeini, a radical Shi’ite Muslim. He set up an Islamic government in the country. This had a huge impact on the Middle East, but especially Iraq. Iraq was ruled by Saddam Hussein and the Ba’ath Party, made up of Sunni Muslims (even though 60% of the population was Shi’ite). Iraq invaded Iran in 1980 and the war lasted eight years, but there were no winners. Iraq was left with massive debts – it owed $14 billion to Kuwait alone. To avoid paying this money, Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein, invaded Kuwait on 2 August 1990.
In 1979, in Iran, the leader known as the Shah was overthrown and replaced by the Ayatollah Khomeini, a radical Shi’ite Muslim. He set up an Islamic government in the country. This had a huge impact on the Middle East, but especially Iraq. Iraq was ruled by Saddam Hussein and the Ba’ath Party, made up of Sunni Muslims (even though 60% of the population was Shi’ite). Iraq invaded Iran in 1980 and the war lasted eight years, but there were no winners. Iraq was left with massive debts – it owed $14 billion to Kuwait alone. To avoid paying this money, Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein, invaded Kuwait on 2 August 1990.
