Sanctions 10 years on Sanctions were first imposed against Iraq in August 1990 within days of the country's invasion of neighbouring Kuwait. The sanctions were introduced with the backing of the United Nations' Security Council. International embargoes against Iraq have been progressively relaxed in the 10 years since the Gulf War in an attempt to ease the suffering on civilians.
Many Western countries believe that the case for sanctions remain.
Others believe they hurt an innocent Iraqi population and prop up a military dictatorship. The first sanctions were introduced under UN Security Council resolution 661. The August 1990 resolution banned all imports from Iraq and almost all exports to the country. Financial support and commercial flights to Iraq were also banned. In 1991, the UN considered a proposal that would ease the impact of global sanctions on ordinary Iraqis.