Military Attacks on Civilians in the Iran—Iraq War (1984–1988)

Abstract

A few years after the outbreak of the Iran—Iraq War, concern began to be expressed at the UN about what appeared to be deliberate military attacks on purely civilian targets — Iraq seeming to be the chief offender. The Secretary-General therefore began discussions about an arrangement which would both examine any allegations of such happenings and, it was hoped, discourage their occurrence. Perhaps because of her distrust of the Security Council, Iran was not keen on the idea of on-the-spot military teams, whereas Iraq suggested that several be established in each state. The result was a compromise, the Secretary-General announcing in June 1984 that he was setting up a UN Inspection Team (UNIT) in each capital. Each Team was to consist of three Military Observers (seconded from Untso) and a civilian official, the Observers being drawn from four acceptable states: Austria, Finland, Ireland and Sweden.