Ceasefire Day Date: August 8
Iraq celebrates Ceasefire Day as a public holiday.
The Iraq Ceasefire Day is observed on the 8th of August. This Day was brought into force to mark the end of the Iran-Iraq war also known as the Imposed War and Holy Defense in Iran and the first Gulf War in the Arab World. It was a war between the armed forces of Iran and Iraq. It lasted from September 1980 to August 1988.
Iraq Ceasefire Day History
The war started on 22 September 1980 due to long border disputes and internal matters. Iraq attacked Iran without any warning. They moved into the Iranian territory slowly but were thrown back by 1982 by the Iranian forces. The war continued for 6 more years.
The United Nations Security Council was the one to call for the ceasefire. In 1987 a renewed wave of Iranian offences swayed. The Iranians threatened to capture the rich oil fields of the north. 0n 20 July, United Nations Security Council passed the US sponsored Resolution 598, asked both the countries to stop the war and return to their boundaries. It called for an immediate ceasefire.
US threatened to impose sanctions against Iran if it did not accept the ceasefire the next day. American vessels an also attacked Iranian vessel laying mines in the Persian Gulf and sank an Iranian mine laying ship on charges of explosion. Iraq accepted the resolution since it had lost much of its land while Iraq did not comply with it since it was very close to victory and did not want to lose its gains.
The fighting continued. Iraq however regrouped and planned a devastating attack on Iran. In July Iraqi planes dropped chemical bombs on Kurdish village of Iran. Thousands were killed at once. Iran considered nuclear weapons but it proved beyond their means. Ultimately, Iran accepted the UN Security Council Resolution 598. On 20 August 1988, peace was restored with both the countries accepting the terms of the Resolution 598. The Resolution was a very strong one due to its power and the breadth of its support. Its basic objective was ‘Desire an End to the War’.
The UN Security Council also condemned Iran of providing terrorist support in Iraq. Al-Sadr after the ceasefire agreement pulled his forces off Iraq. The Iraqi Prime Minister saw this step as a step in the right direction. The Shiite militants backed the Iranian forces of al-Sadr.
Al-Nuiaifi considered that the commander of Iran’s al-Quds Brigade, now a terrorist organization declared by the US, negotiated the ceasefire agreement. In August, Sadr announced that his forces want to attack the US forces in Iraq. The ceasefire helped the US to stabilize various parts of Iraq.
Iraq Ceasefire Day Traditions and Activities
The Iraq Ceasefire Day is observed as a national Holiday in Iraq. The day marks the remembrance of all those who were killed fighting for their land and the people. Innocent people lost their lives, women have lost their husbands, and children’s became orphans. This day also marked a day of non-violence as peace was restored to a large extent after the Ceasefire agreement.
Other interesting posts:
- Iraq Observes Iraqi Kurdistan’s Spring Day
- National Iraqi Day Celebrated in Iraq
- Iraq Observes FAO Day on April 17
- Iraq Celebrates Liberation Day
- How to help the Iranians on Twitter
Other interesting posts:
