Order Of The Mother Of Battles.

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Wissam ‘Uum al-M’aarak / Mother of Battles Medal, 1990-91

The status of Kuwait had, even since the days on the monarchy, been a contentions issue for Iraq. Kuwait was viewed as a creation of late-nineteenth-century British imperialism and severed the only good open-water port from Iraq (making Iraq, in essence, a land-locked country). The Sidqi (1936), Qasim (1961), and al-Bakr (1973) governments had all questioned the legitimacy of Kuwait. The suffering inflicted on Iraq in the war with Iran and the less than sympathetic attitude of some of Iraq’s Gulf Arab neighbors led to an increase in tensions with Kuwait throughout the late 1980s.

On 2 August 1990 Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait. The United States of America quickly headed up the formation on a multi-national coalition to resist this action. Air operations against Iraq commenced on 16/17 January 1991 and ground operations began on 23/24 February 1991. The U.S. ground offensive ended with a cease-fire 3 March 1991.

Awarded to Iraqi armed forces for service in Gulf War II, against the U.S.A. (and allies).

This is similar in design to the Medal for Bravery and that for the Iran-Iraq War (Gulf War I).

Established: 1991. The medal was manufactured in Iraq under economic sanctions, and this is reflected in the low quality of the manufacturing.

Obverse: Gilt eight-pointed rayed 40 mm sunburst star with black-enameled center with crossed swords and national arms above. On either side of the swords, the Arabic legend “Allah u Akbar” or “God is Great”. Below the swords, the Arabic legend in black enamel ’Uum al-M‘aarak” or “Mother of Battles”.

Reverse: Plain.

Ribbon: 30 mm, equal stripes of red, white, and black with a thin green center strips; red 2mm, white 5 mm, green 2 mm, white 5 mm, black 9 mm. The ribbon is made from a coarse, almost “plastic” material.