Gulf War: Thirty years ago, Iraq invaded Kuwait

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Thirty years have passed since Saddam Hussein invaded neighbouring Kuwait, but despite hints of a diplomatic rapprochement, people from both countries say the wounds have yet to heal. On August 2, 1990, Saddam sent his military into Kuwait to seize what he dubbed Iraq's 19th province. The two-day operation turned into a seven-month occupation and, for many Iraqis, opened the door to 30 years of devastation which is still ongoing. | Iraqi President Saddam Hussein (L) is seen in a tent in Najaf. Image Credit: AFP

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August 9, 1990: A policeman waves to a driver returning home from Kuwait as he arrives with his family aboard a ferry from Jordan after a five day trip through the desert fleeing the Iraqi invasion, in Egypt's Red Sea port of Nuweiba. Image Credit: AFP

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August 16, 1990: Egyptian refugees loading their luggage atop a bus at the Iraq-Jordan border checkpoint as thousands of foreigners flee the war in Iraq and Kuwait. Image Credit: AFP

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August 17, 1990: A view of the Iraq-Jordan border checkpoint crowded by cars abd buses as thousands of foreigners flee the war in Iraq and Kuwait. Image Credit: AFP

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August 23, 1990: Iraqi President Saddam Hussein (L) patting Stuart Lockwood, 6, a young British boy on the head in Baghdad during an Iraqi TV broadcast, as they appeared flanked by army officers and an interpreter on television in an attempt to allay fears about the treatment of Western hostages held in Iraq. Image Credit: AFP

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August 28, 1990: US Army tanks from the 24th Infantry Division are unloaded during military manoeuvres in Saudi Arabia as US army was deployed in the Persian Gulf since Iraq's invasion of Kuwait on August 2, leading to a conflict between Iraq and Kuwait and an international military intervention. Image Credit: AFP

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August 28, 1990: Puma type helicopters of the French armed forces land on the deck of the French aircraft carrier Clemenceau, casting off Djibouti, as French army was deployed in the Persian Gulf since Iraq's invasion of Kuwait on August 2, leading to a conflict between Iraq and Koweit and an international military intervention. Image Credit: AFP

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November 4, 1990: Responding to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, troops of the U.S. 1st Cavalry Division deploy across the Saudi desert on during preparations prior to the Gulf War. Image Credit: AP

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February 25, 1991: Hundreds of US military vehicles are seen in the desert in Iraq on the second day of the massive ground assault into Kuwait and Iraq. Image Credit: AFP

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February 25, 1991: Saudi light armoured vehicles pass by a bombed arch of a school near the coastal city of al-Ahmadi in Kuwait as Allied forces continue to advance on Kuwait city. Image Credit:

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February 25, 1991: an Iraqi bunker blows up next to an Iraqi tank in Iraqi desert after US Rangers from the 82nd Airborne Division place explosives mines. Image Credit: AFP

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February 25, 1991: An Egyptian light armoured vehicle explodes after driving over an Iraqi mine, on the second day of the massive ground assault of the Allied Forces into Kuwait and Iraq during 'Desert Storm' operation. Image Credit: AFP

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February 25, 1991: Saudi soldiers are seen in Kuwait on the second day of the allied ground assault again Iraqi forces. Image Credit: AFP

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February 25, 1991: Iraqi soldiers hold a white flag as they surrender to the Egyptian army during a ground battle in Kuwait. Image Credit: File photo

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February 26, 1991: Kuwaiti resistance fighters celebrate with a member of the US Marine Special forces (C) after the Marines entered the small town of Sabahiah, 9 miles from the capital of Kuwait City. Image Credit: AFP

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February 27, 1991: An American Special Forces soldier is mobbed by jubilant Kuwait City residents, as the city was liberated from Iraq forces. Image Credit: AP

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February 28, 1991: People with rifles and Kuwaiti national flags celebrate in the streets of Kuwait City after US President George Bush's announcement of a cease-fire. Image Credit:

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February 28, 1991: A member of the Kuwaiti resistance raises his rifle and the national flag in celebration as Kuwaiti's filled the streets after US President George Bush's announcement of a cease-fire. Image Credit: AFP

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March 1, 1991: A long line of vehicles, including destroyed Iraqi Army Russian-made T-62 tanks and trucks stand abandoned by fleeing Iraqi troops on the outskirts of Kuwait City after the Allied troops liberated the capital of Kuwait. Image Credit: AFP

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March 1, 1991: A long line of vehicles, including destroyed Iraqi Army Russian-made T-62 tanks and trucks stand abandoned by fleeing Iraqi troops on the outskirts of Kuwait City after the Allied troops liberated the capital of Kuwait. Image Credit: AFP

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March 1, 1991: Arab soldiers, including Kuwaitis and Saudis, celebrate in the streets of Kuwait City following the liberation of the city from Iraqi forces during the Gulf War Image Credit: File photo

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March 14, 1991: An aerial view of burning oil wells in al-Ahmadi oil field in Kuwait, set ablaze by retreating Iraqi troops. Image Credit: AFP

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March 15, 1991: First commercial flight arrives at Kuwait Airport after the end of the Gulf War. Image Credit: File Photo

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March 26, 1991: Two Kuwaiti men walk in al-Ahmadi oil field next to a burning oil well set ablaze by retreating Iraqi troops. Image Credit: AFP

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April 1, 1991: An aerial view of burning oil wells in al-Ahmadi oil field in Kuwait, set ablaze by retreating Iraqi troops. Image Credit: AFP

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April 1, 1991: Several blown-out wells damaged by retreating Iraqi soldiers in Al-Ahmadi oil field burn in southern Kuwait, badly polluting the atmosphere and creating crude oil lakes. Image Credit: AFP

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April 2, 1991: An abandoned Iraqi Soviet-made T-62 tank sits in the Kuwaiti desert as an oil well at al-Ahmadi oil field is burning in the background. Image Credit: AFP

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June 5, 1991: Several blown-out wells damaged by retreating Iraqi soldiers in al-Ahmadi oil field in southern Kuwait. Image Credit: AFP

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June 10, 1991: A US Navy A-7 Corsair light attack aircraft is pulled down Broadway Avenue in New York City as sailors rejoice on the wings during the Operation Welcome Home ticker-tape parade during the celebration for returning Gulf War troops. Image Credit: AFP

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July 27, 2020: A man stands outside Al-Qurain Martyr's Museum, home to a battle which lasted 10 hours between invading Iraqi troops and a group of Kuwaiti fighters during the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait, in Kuwait City. Image Credit: AFP

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