Part 9/10:
By the late 1980s, both nations found their economies in ruins and civilian populations increasingly burdened by the prolonged conflict. Terrorized urban centers, rising inflation, and military stalemates across the front lines necessitated a reevaluation of war strategies. The UN attempted numerous peace initiatives, with Resolutions calling for ceasefires, but distrust and enduring animosity prevented any significant progress.
In 1988, after years of back-and-forth fighting, Iraq launched a final offensive in an attempt to gain an advantageous position before negotiations began. As both sides faced the harsh realities of war, the ceasefire on August 20, 1988, marked the end of the conflict—saturated with losses that would haunt both nations for generations.