Modern Middle East Conflict Unit 6 Ms. Hunt RMS IB

Sources of Modern Middle East Conflict Religious Differences – Different religions – Sunnis (leader is a member of the Muslim community) vs. Shia’s (Direct descendant of Muhammad) Ethnic Groups – Persians (Iran) vs. Arabs (Iraq) Nationalism – Some ethnic groups wish for an independent nation instead of a multi- ethnic one – Kurds- mountain people from Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey (Multiple violent struggles for independence) Fundamentalism – Belief in following your religion directly, as outline by holy text – Theocratic Government- religion based – Example- 1979, Shi’ite leader Khomeini took over Iran, ended all westernization and instilled fundamentalist beliefs over the government and country

Modern Middle East History Palestine- Arab region lived on by Jewish people for over 2000 years – Controlled by Great Britain, following WWII, Jewish refugees fled Europe for safety, many immigrated to Palestine United Nations involved to end disagreement with traditional Arab population and recent Jewish immigrants Palestine divides – Part 1 Arab – Part 2 Jewish Israel becomes independent state for Jewish people (Gaza Strip and the West Bank) Arab—Israeli Wars – Arab nations declared war, they did not agree with the creation of the Jewish state – Israel wins the first of multiple wars (1948, 1967, and 1973)

Arab- Israeli Wars Over 700,000 Palestinian Arab refugees fled to other countries during the wars Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO)- goal est. an independent Palestinian State Throughout wars, constant shifts of territory between Israelis and Palestinians Peace Attempts – Egypt makes peace with Israel – Palestinian and Israel peace agreement signed PLO recognizes Israel as a state Israel gave territory to the Palestinians

Iran- Iraq War OPEC- Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries – Made up of Arabian Peninsula countries who wished to control the global economy of oil prices and shipment, 1960 Long lasting dispute over who controlled oil rich territory Revolution in Iran- People upset with the Shah (king) Looked to new leader- Khomeini (religious leader) Shah overthrown Changed to Islamic Conservative Laws Iraq invaded Iran (Led by Saddam Hussein) 8 year war – Over 1 million people died cease fire agreement signed (written by the United Nations) – No clear winner

Persian Gulf War 1990 Iraq invades Kuwait for the oil supply Saddam Hussein (Iraq’s leader) led the invasion United Nations- trade embargo to stop Iraq from profiting January 16 th, multi- nation missile attack began on Iraq US military titled the operation “Desert Storm” to help Kuwait February 24 th - Ground attack begins – Lasted 100 hours Iraq surrendered – Saddam’s forces left Kuwait – Both Iraq and Kuwait suffered much destruction from the attacks