Al-Azzawi's Insights on Iraq's Invasion of Kuwait
Former Iraqi intelligence chief Fadhel Al-Azzawi, in his recent testimony to Al-Asr, expressed strong regret over Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, labeling it one of the country's gravest mistakes. He emphasized that the invasion not only harmed Iraq but also severely undermined Arab solidarity. Reflecting on the period following the Iran-Iraq War, Al-Azzawi discussed the internal turmoil within Iraq, including coup attempts against Saddam Hussein's regime.
The Failed Negotiations and Miscalculations
Al-Azzawi recounted a pivotal meeting in August 1990 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, involving Saddam's deputy Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri and Kuwaiti officials. He described the meeting as disastrous, attributing its failure to all parties involved. He criticized the qualifications of the Iraqi negotiators, stating they were ill-equipped to handle such critical discussions. Furthermore, he revealed that many Iraqi officials were unaware of the impending invasion until it was reported in the media, highlighting a lack of preparation and planning within the Iraqi military.
Consequences of the Invasion
In his testimony, Al-Azzawi denied claims that the United States encouraged the invasion, asserting that the U.S. was not serious about intervening at that time. He criticized Saddam for underestimating the strong ties Kuwait and other Gulf nations had with the West. Al-Azzawi concluded that the invasion led to catastrophic consequences for Iraq, stating, 'We suffered a huge loss,' and lamented that the event marked a significant decline in Arab unity. He described the aftermath as a time when Iraq, once a central figure in Arab affairs, faced a devastating collapse.
