Op Safe Haven Northern Iraq 1991

Op Haven Iraq

Unit/ Formation: 3 Cdo Brigade RM Location: Iraq Period/ Conflict: Iraq War (1991) Year: 1991 Date/s: 1991

Saddam Husseins Summer Palace

It was decided on April 17, 1991, that around 6,000 allied troops would take part in "Operation Safe Haven", with the task of safeguarding the people of Northern Iraq from possible persecution and providing humanitarian aid after Saddam Hussein had defeated their rebellion in March 1991.

This action was credited with saving thousands of lives.

The bulk of the force was provi​ded b​y 3 Commando Brigade, incorporating 40 and 45 Royal Marines Commandos and 400 Dutch Marines, on a large-scale humanitarian mission aimed at protecting and resettling Kurdish refugees fleeing persecution.

The Royal Marines’ efforts were credited with saving thousands of lives when British and Dutch units, operating in small teams and working directly with local Kurdish leaders and Peshmerga forces, assessed refugee camps for urgent needs and organised humanitarian aid.

The Daily Telegraph reported that in 38 days more humanitarian relief was provided to the Kurds facing reprisals from Saddam Hussein than in the whole of the Berlin airlift.

The operation not only offered immediate relief but also became a defining moment in Kurdish history.

Overseeing the issuing of humanitarian aid (authors collection)