Saddam Utilized Jordan's King Hussein Against Egypt Prior to Kuwait Invasion, According to British Documents
Rebel Me: Egypt's Dirty Laundry Unveiled - An Unfiltered Look
Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak had a smoking gun on King Hussein of Jordan and Saddam Hussein of Iraq, revealing in newly discovered British documents, a secret attempt to drag Egypt into a trilateral military force before the infamous 1990 invasion of Kuwait.
King Hussein, acting like Saddam's cat's paw, had shopped around the idea of a united Egypt-Jordan-Iraq military force, intent on intervening in the Gulf if push comes to shove. Mubarak, however, saw the scheme for what it was - a sneaky attempt to pull Egypt into Iraq's web.
In 1988, King Hussein, acting at Saddam's behest, had tried to weasel Egypt into this shady alliance. The proposed military force would have stirred unease in Syria, highlighting the tricky political landscape and regional power plays that complicated alliances before the Kuwait crisis reared its ugly head.
Mubarak cried foul, accusing Saddam of attempting to grease Egypt's palms with a bribe to win their backing for Iraq's stance against Kuwait. Saddam's dirty tricks didn't stop there, though. He had even tried to ensnare Egypt via the Arab Cooperation Council, which he used as a Trojan horse.
But the Egyptian president wasn't falling for it, turning a cold shoulder to trilateral military or intelligence cooperation. King Hussein was left with nothing but nothing more than empty promises, thinking he had the Saudi Monarch, King Fahd, in his corner. However, when Mubarak double-checked with King Fahd, he was left with egg on his face as the Saudi monarch denied having ever discussed such plans.
In a final gamble, Saddam had tried to butter up Mubarak with an offer to wipe out Egypt's debts to Kuwait. But Mubarak saw through his tactic, dismissing the offer with a sarcastic, "Here's your money – now tell me if it's enough to get Egypt on board."
As Iraq's military forces stormed into Kuwait, Mubarak found himself squarely at odds with Saddam Hussein. While King Hussein launched a public tirade against Mubarak, using Queen Noor – Hussein's wife – to deliver veiled insults to Suzanne, Mubarak suspected Hussein had prior knowledge of the invasion and was promised help from Saddam.
Mubarak and British officials held a series of meetings, discussing ways to tackle the crisis. Mubarak argued that Saddam was under pressure and teetering on the edge, with Iraq's military severely depleted following the war with Iran and Sky-high debts of $60-70 billion weighing heavily on the nation's shoulders.
Despite the pressure, Mubarak was unyielding in his stance, vowing complete withdrawal of Iraq from Kuwait. He suggested tightening the screws with sanctions and predicted an Iraqi Army in shambles once military action to expel them from Kuwait began.
Mubarak also questioned the effectiveness of Iraq's air force, remarking that he would have vanquished the Iranian threat in a month's time with such an air power at his disposal.
Throughout their meeting, Mubarak left Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in no doubt regarding Saddam Hussein's madness, stating that even if Saddam was replaced by another 'loony' - at least it would be a new 'loony'.
With the tensions escalating, Mubarak had to tread a fine line between opposing Iraq and maintaining good relations with Jordan. According to the document, Mubarak kept the secret of inadequate Jordanian intelligence on Iraq's invasion plans a secret from Hussein – knowing full well that any media leak could derail Egyptian strategy.
In the end, Egypt, Syria, and Morocco sent troops to support Kuwait, with Mubarak stressing the importance of prioritizing the return of the legitimate government to power. The invasion ultimately galvanized the Arab world against Saddam's aggression, leading to a global coalition that forced Iraq out of Kuwait.
Extra Insight: Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak found himself in a delicate position, torn between opposing Saddam Hussein and maintaining a stable relationship with Jordan. However, Mubarak's concerns about Saddam's intentions were vindicated when the Iraqi leader invaded Kuwait, highlighting the complexity of regional politics and the need to navigate power dynamics carefully. The documents reveal King Hussein's role as a conduit for Saddam's efforts to draw Egypt into a military alliance, hinting at a deeper level of collaboration between the Iraqi and Jordanian leaders. These archived materials provide valuable insight into the inner workings of the political stage leading up to the Gulf War.
- The Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was briefed on Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak's discovery of a secret attempt to form a trilateral military force, involving Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq.
- The UN, keeping an eye on the Middle East, closely monitored news of this proposed military force and its potential impact on regional stability.
- Analysts published articles discussing the potential integration of these three countries, highlighting the threat it posed to other nations in the region, particularly Saudi Arabia and Iran.
- The official statement from the Egyptian government expressed concern over the proposed military alliance, calling it a dangerous precedent that could undermine peace in Yemen and Gaza.
- Israel, also monitoring the situation closely, issued an opinion that the proposed military force could be used to undermine its territorial integrity, causing concern among its military leaders.
- Iraq's President Saddam Hussein was accused of using politics and general news, including meetings and summits, to further his agenda of forming this military alliance.
- The crisis in Kuwait, rearing its ugly head, exposed the deep-rooted hatred and war-and-conflicts that existed among the regional leaders, including King Hussein, King Fahd, and Saddam Hussein.
- Iraq's invasion of Kuwait brought about a sudden rise in the number of refugees fleeing the war-zone, with Egypt, Syria, and Morocco stepping in to offer aid.
- The meeting between Mubarak and Thatcher discussed the need for international sanctions against Iraq, as a means of applying pressure and forcing Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait.
- The reports suggested that Egypt's concerns about Saddam's intentions were justified, as the Iraqi leader ultimately invaded Kuwait, leading to a global coalition that forced Iraq out of Kuwait.
- The crisis in Kuwait highlighted the complex nature of regional politics, with Egypt finding itself at odds with Iraq while trying to maintain good relations with Jordan.
- The documents reveal that Egypt kept the secret of inadequate Jordanian intelligence on Iraq's invasion plans from Hussein to protect its own strategy.
- The historical records suggest that these documents provide valuable insights into the intricate relationships and power dynamics that existed in the Middle East ahead of the Gulf War.
- It is interesting to note that despite King Hussein's apparent collaboration with Saddam, the documents hint at a deeper level of betrayal and manipulation that could have far-reaching consequences.
- The research of these documents offers an unfiltered look into Rebel Me's: Egypt's Dirty Laundry, showcasing the underhanded tactics used by Saddam to draw Egypt into a military alliance.
- These revelations serve as a stark reminder of the complex web of alliances, deceptions, and power struggles that underpin the politics of the Middle East and the many war-and-conflicts that plague the region.