The Gulf War, a conflict sparked by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, left a profound and enduring impact on the relationship between the Arab nations of the Gulf region. Despite initial hopes that the war would bring about reconciliation and cooperation, tensions between the former allies Kuwait and Iraq remained high. Kuwait's resentment over the invasion and the resulting loss of life and property fueled a sense of distrust and animosity toward Iraq. Iraq, on the other hand, harbored a deep sense of grievance over the international sanctions imposed upon it and the perceived humiliation of its defeat. The legacy of the Gulf War continued to cast a long shadow over inter-Arab relations, leaving open the question of whether the brotherly bonds that had once united the Gulf nations could ever be fully restored.
