Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait leads to the 1991 Gulf War

Iraq invades and annexes Kuwait. Fearing Iraqi incursion southward, the Saudis ask for help from an American led military alliance of 26 countries. PLO leader Arafat’s embrace of Saddam Hussein’s actions cause Arabian Gulf states to expel hundreds of thousands of Palestinians and confiscate billions of dollars in Palestinian assets. Most expelled Palestinians flee to Jordan. Iraq remains under long term UN sanctions.