Second Scud Missile Strikes Israel

January 19th, 1991

January 19th, 1991

Second Scud Missile Strikes Israel
How Long Ago?

34 years, 1 month, 24 days ago

Location

Tel Aviv, Israel

Category

Military & Warfare

War/Conflict

Gulf War

People
  • Saddam Hussein
  • George H.W. Bush
  • Shimon Peres
Links & References
Tags

Second Scud Missile Strikes Israel

On January 19, 1991, Iraq launched a second Scud missile at Israel during the Gulf War, injuring 15 people. This attack was part of a broader strategy by Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein, to draw Israel into the conflict and rally Arab support for his regime. The impact of the missile struck Tel Aviv, causing panic and prompting Israel's government to consider retaliatory actions, which could have escalated the regional conflict.

Iraq launched second Scud missile at Israel.

Fifteen people were injured in the attack.

The missile targeted Tel Aviv during the Gulf War.

Israel utilized Patriot missiles for defense.

What Happened?

In January 1991, the Gulf War intensified as Iraq, under the leadership of Saddam Hussein, launched a second Scud missile at Israel. This event occurred a few weeks after Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, prompting widespread international condemnation and the formation of a coalition to drive Iraqi forces out of Kuwait. The Scud missile strike on Tel Aviv was a strategic move designed by Hussein to provoke an Israeli response, which he believed would undermine the coalition and galvanize Arab nations against Israel and the United States. The missile was launched from positions in Iraq and was part of a series of attacks targeting Israeli cities. The resulting explosion injured 15 civilians, causing significant panic and fear among the population.This attack also raised significant concerns about the dynamics of the Middle East conflict. Israel, which had been urged by the United States not to retaliate against Iraq to maintain the fragile coalition against Hussein, faced pressure from its own citizens to respond to the attack. The impending threat of Israeli retaliation added complexity to an already precarious geopolitical situation, leading to a tense standoff as the world watched how the situation would unfold. New technologies were deployed in Israel for defense, including the use of advanced Patriot missile systems designed to intercept incoming threats, marking a significant evolution in military defense strategy.

Why Does it Matter?

The missile strike and its aftermath highlighted the precarious balance in Middle Eastern politics and raised questions regarding coalition solidarity in the face of aggression. The event illustrated how regional conflicts could have wider implications, and the decision to restrain Israeli military action had long-term repercussions on U.S.-Middle Eastern relations, along with the dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in subsequent years. This incident was pivotal in shaping future military and diplomatic strategies in the region.

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