Republican Guard (Iraq) - Invasion of Kuwait

Invasion of Kuwait

By 1 August 1990, there were eight RGFC divisions (two armored, one mechanized, one special forces and four motorized infantry) between Basra and the Kuwaiti border. These totalled almost 140,000 troops with 1,500 tanks and infantry vehicles plus artillery, and supply and support services. They included four Iraqi Republican Guard divisions: (1st Hammurabi Armoured Division, 2nd al-Medinah al-Munawera Armoured Division, 3rd Tawalkalna ala-Allah Mechanized Infantry Division and 6th Nebuchadnezzar Motorized Infantry Division) and Iraqi Army special forces units equivalent to a full division.

On 2 August 1990, the Republican Guard spearheaded Iraqi forces in the Invasion of Kuwait which lasted four days. Iraqi forces outnumbered the Kuwaitis 26 to 1. They conducted the initial attack so quickly that many of Kuwait's military vehicles never left their motor pool. The main thrust was conducted by the commandos deployed by helicopters and boats to attack Kuwait City, while the other divisions seized the airports and two airbases.

Afterward the invasion, the Republican Guard was withdrawn and redeployed into strategic reserve positions in northern Kuwait and southern and central Iraq.

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