Operation Desert Scorpion (Iraq 1998)
Encyclopedia
Operation Desert Scorpion was an American
response to the crises between the United Nations
and Iraq
in February of 1998. Sadam Hussein provoked the United Nations by refusing to live up to his obligations to allow full access to his military sites for inspection. American military units deployed to the region (Operation Desert Thunder
), in support of a number of options.
Operation Desert Scorpion was a contingency plan that called for a single American division (The 24th Infantry Division), reinforced by some Marine
units, to drive from Kuwait
north to beyond Basra
, cutting Iraq in half and hopefully provoking widespread rebellions.
This option was not carried out, as the United Nations
Secretary General was able to negotiate a peaceful solution.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
response to the crises between the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
and Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
in February of 1998. Sadam Hussein provoked the United Nations by refusing to live up to his obligations to allow full access to his military sites for inspection. American military units deployed to the region (Operation Desert Thunder
Operation Desert Thunder
Operation Desert Thunder was a response to threats by Iraq's president Saddam Hussein to shoot down U-2 spy planes, and violate the no-fly zone set up over his country. The operation was designed to bring stability to the region by bringing in a military presence during the negotiations between...
), in support of a number of options.
Operation Desert Scorpion was a contingency plan that called for a single American division (The 24th Infantry Division), reinforced by some Marine
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
units, to drive from Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
north to beyond Basra
Basra
Basra is the capital of Basra Governorate, in southern Iraq near Kuwait and Iran. It had an estimated population of two million as of 2009...
, cutting Iraq in half and hopefully provoking widespread rebellions.
This option was not carried out, as the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Secretary General was able to negotiate a peaceful solution.