The Iraqi Navy in the Cold War
The main event was of course the Gulf War 1991, following the Iran-Irar war in which Iraq reported eleven minor warships lost, including four Iraqi patrol boats claimed sunk by Iran on 21 September 1980. It represented 3000 personal with the single training frigate Ibn Khaldoum as flagship.
Delivery of the Italian_built warships was held when Iraq invaded and occupied Kuwait in late 1990. Operation Desert Storm in 1991, also concerned its navy with all its naval vessels venturing into the open sea sunk or severely damaged the remainder in port. All missile boats, landing ships and minesweepers were part of these, and despite a naval Personnel up to 4600 by 1989, the Navy effectively ceased to exist as an operational force in 1991.