Trevor Ng
The Gulf War, also known as the Persian Gulf War, was an international conflict between Iraq and a US-led coalition of 42 countries that took place between 1990 and 1991. The conflict was triggered by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait on 2 August 1990, which was ordered by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, who claimed that Kuwait was stealing oil from the Rumaila oil field along the Iraq-Kuwait border. The invasion was also driven by Iraq's desire to acquire Kuwait's large oil reserves, cancel its large debt to Kuwait from the recently ended Iran-Iraq War, and exert control over the Bubiyan and Warbah Islands, which provided access to the Persian Gulf. The US-led coalition launched Operation Desert Storm on 17 January 1991, which involved a massive air campaign that destroyed Iraq's air defences, communication networks, government buildings, weapons plants, oil refineries, and infrastructure. The coalition forces successfully liberated Kuwait by 28 February 1991, marking a decisive victory, although Saddam Hussein remained in power in Iraq.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 1990-1991 |
| Cause | Iraq's invasion of Kuwait |
| Primary Parties Involved | Iraq, Kuwait, United States |
| Other Parties Involved | 42-country coalition led by the United States, including the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Egypt |
| Iraqi Justification | Kuwait's alleged slant drilling in Iraq's Rumaila oil field, Kuwait stealing oil from the Rumayla oil field, Kuwait's debt forgiveness demands, ownership of the Warbah and Bubiyan Islands |
| Coalition Justification | To expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait |
| Operations | Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Desert Sabre |
| Battles | Battle of Medina Ridge, Battle of Norfolk, Battle of 73 Easting |
| Outcome | Iraqi defeat and retreat from Kuwait, enormous damage to Kuwait and Iraq, Saddam Hussein remained in power |
| Casualties | 8,000-10,000 Iraqi forces, 300 coalition troops, 3,000 civilians |
| Other Effects | Over 600 oil well fires, largest oil spill in history up to that point, Gulf War syndrome in over 40% of US veterans |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The Gulf War's causes
The Gulf War of 1990-1991 was an international conflict triggered by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. The conflict was also known as the Persian Gulf War, the First Gulf War, or the Iraq War. The war was named "Umm al-Ma'arik" ("mother of all battles") by Iraqi officials.
In the summer of 1990, tensions in the Persian Gulf began to escalate, with Iraq adopting an increasingly hostile tone towards Kuwait and members of its ruling Sabah dynasty. On July 17, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein launched a televised verbal attack on Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for exceeding oil export quotas set by OPEC. Saddam accused Kuwait and the UAE of depressing oil prices and depriving Iraq of critical oil revenues. He also alleged that Kuwait was stealing oil from the Rumaila oil field, which straddles the border between the two countries. On August 1, talks between Iraq and Kuwait broke down, and just hours later, Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait.
Saddam Hussein claimed that Kuwait was an artificial state created by Western colonialists and that it was rightfully part of Iraq. He also sought to acquire Kuwait's large oil reserves, cancel Iraq's debt to Kuwait from the recently ended Iran-Iraq War, and expand Iraqi influence in the region. During the occupation of Kuwait, Iraqi troops engaged in a systematic campaign of pillage, rape, torture, murder, and theft of Kuwait's economic assets.
In response to Iraq's invasion, the international community acted swiftly. The United Nations (UN) demanded Iraqi withdrawal and imposed sanctions and a trade embargo. A US-led coalition force, consisting of nearly one million service personnel from 42 countries, was assembled to expel the Iraqis if diplomacy failed. Despite the UN deadline of January 15, 1991, for Iraqi forces to leave Kuwait, they refused to comply.
The US-led coalition launched Operation Desert Storm on January 16-17, 1991, with a massive air campaign that destroyed Iraq's air defenses and targeted its infrastructure. This was followed by Operation Desert Sabre, a ground offensive that began on February 24, 1991, and successfully liberated Kuwait within a few days. The Gulf War resulted in significant damage to both Kuwait and Iraq, with thousands of civilian casualties and lingering effects in the region and worldwide.
Turbo Golf Racing: Free to Play?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The US-led coalition
The Gulf War was an international conflict triggered by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait on 2 August 1990. The conflict was marked by a US-led coalition of nearly one million service personnel from 42 countries, including 53,457 from the United Kingdom. The coalition's efforts were carried out in two phases: Operation Desert Shield, which marked the military buildup from August 1990 to January 1991, and Operation Desert Storm, which began with an aerial bombing campaign against Iraq on 17 January 1991.
Operation Desert Storm was one of the largest and most impressive air campaigns of all time. It destroyed Iraq's air defences, communications networks, government buildings, weapons plants, oil refineries, and roads and bridges. The US-led coalition had the latest war-fighting technology at their disposal, and they dismantled the world's fourth-largest army within a matter of days. The coalition's aerial bombardment was relentless, with coalition aircraft flying over 100,000 sorties.
The Gulf War had significant environmental impacts, including Iraqi forces causing over six hundred oil well fires and the largest oil spill in history up to that point. The conflict also introduced live news broadcasts from the front lines of the battle, mainly by the American network CNN. It earned the nickname "Video Game War" due to the daily broadcast of images from cameras onboard American military aircraft.
Golf Camps: Legit Next Level Training?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The conflict's key phases
The conflict between Iraq and a coalition force of 30 countries, including the United States, Britain, France, and Saudi Arabia, was divided into three key phases: the air war, the ground war, and the ceasefire and postwar effects.
The air war began on January 17, 1991, with a massive aerial bombing campaign by the coalition forces, aimed at disabling Iraq's military capabilities and command structure. This phase lasted for 5 weeks and involved thousands of sorties by coalition aircraft, targeting Iraqi airfields, military installations, and command bunkers. The coalition enjoyed air superiority throughout, with Iraq's air force suffering heavy losses and being largely grounded.
The ground war commenced on February 24 with a large-scale coalition offensive, known as Operation Desert Sabre. A diverse range of tactics were employed, including a "left hook" maneuver by US-led forces, which involved a rapid advance through the Saudi Arabian desert and a left turn into Iraq, outflanking Iraqi defenses. This maneuver was executed by the US VII Corps and the 1st Infantry Division, along with the British 1st Armored Division, and they engaged and destroyed a significant portion of the Iraqi Republican Guard. Simultaneously, an aquatic assault was launched by US Marines and Arab coalition forces, drawing Iraqi troops to the coast and further weakening their defenses.
The 100-hour ground campaign was a decisive victory for the coalition forces, who managed to expel Iraqi troops from Kuwait and disable much of Iraq's military power. The Iraqi military was hampered by poor leadership and low morale, and they suffered heavy casualties and equipment losses. The coalition's superior technology and firepower, including the use of satellite guidance and smart bombs, ensured a swift and overwhelming victory.
The ground offensive was brought to a halt by US President George H.W. Bush, who declared a ceasefire on February 28, 1991, just 100 hours after it had begun. This decision was influenced by a desire to minimize coalition casualties and a hope that leaving the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, in power would ensure stability in the region. The postwar period saw the imposition of strict economic sanctions on Iraq and the establishment of no-fly zones over certain regions of the country, which remained in place until the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Walking the Greens: Pembroke's Golfing Style
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Gulf War, the [Import anglais]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/716b9tv-6GL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
The environmental impact
The Gulf War, also known as the Persian Gulf War, was an international conflict triggered by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait on 2 August 1990. The conflict was primarily over disputes regarding Kuwait's alleged slant drilling in Iraq's Rumaila oil field and Iraq's large debt to Kuwait from the recently ended Iran-Iraq War.
The Gulf War had a significant environmental impact, with the conflict bringing about environmental degradation that still affects the area today. The use of chemical agents and the combustion of oil from the fires polluted Kuwait and the surrounding countries. The environmental impact of the conflict extended beyond the immediate region, with southern Turkey experiencing black acid rain in March 1991.
During the conflict, Iraqi forces caused over 600 oil well fires, releasing approximately 3.5 million tons of crude oil into the desert and another 800,000 tons of oil spilled into the Persian Gulf. The fires leaked 60 million barrels of oil, creating 250 million oil lakes that covered approximately 50 square kilometers of the desert. The Sea Island Terminal Oil Spill on 19 January 1991 was the most significant spill, with 11 million barrels of crude oil released from storage units, sabotaged pipelines, and oil tankers. The spill damaged 800 kilometers of coastline, including beaches, tide pools, and seagrass beds, and killed thousands of rare birds.
The decreased air quality due to the oil fires led to an increase in respiratory diseases among residents of Kuwait and surrounding countries. The high volume of particles in the air also impacted the climate, with temperatures up to 10 degrees Celsius lower than normal. Soot and oil covered extensive areas in Kuwait, Northern Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf, exposing vegetation and wildlife to fallout.
The conflict also resulted in the use of depleted uranium by the US military, which turned into small particles on impact and polluted soil and water systems. These particles have been shown to be harmful to human health and have impacted both military and civilian individuals.
Golf Registration: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Gulf War: First Strike - Wings of the Storm [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61jlWfs8lHL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
The aftermath
In Iraq, Saddam Hussein's regime was in a state of near defeat, with Shia in the south and Kurds in the north taking control of much of the country. There were several uprisings in Iraq, which were met with violent responses from Saddam's Republican Guard, resulting in thousands of civilian deaths. The Gulf War also set the stage for the 2003 invasion of Iraq, with the stated objectives of the first conflict not including the removal of Saddam from power. This would become a key factor in the US-led coalition's ability to maintain unity.
The war had a significant impact on demographics in Kuwait. There were 400,000 Palestinians in Kuwait before the war, but during the Iraqi occupation, 200,000 fled due to fear, persecution, food and medical shortages, and financial difficulties. After the war, nearly 200,000 more Palestinians fled, due in part to economic burdens, regulations on residence, and fear of abuse by Kuwaiti security forces. Kuwait's lack of support for Palestinians after the war was a response to the alignment of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and the PLO with Saddam Hussein.
The Gulf War also had a significant environmental impact. Iraqi forces caused over 600 oil well fires and the largest oil spill in history up to that point. The US bombing and post-war demolition of Iraqi chemical weapons facilities were identified as the primary cause of Gulf War syndrome, which affected over 40% of US veterans. Many returning Coalition soldiers reported illnesses after the war, including chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and gastrointestinal disorders. Researchers also found higher rates of certain heart valve defects in infants born to male veterans of the 1991 war, and a kidney defect in veterans' children born after the war.
Golf Course Fishing: How to Fish Golf Ponds
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Gulf War was an armed conflict between Iraq and a US-led coalition of 42 countries.
The Gulf War started when Iraq, governed by Saddam Hussein, invaded neighbouring Kuwait on 2 August 1990. Iraq fully occupied Kuwait within two days. The invasion was primarily over disputes regarding Kuwait's alleged slant drilling in Iraq's Rumaila oil field, as well as to cancel Iraq's large debt to Kuwait from the recently ended Iran-Iraq War.
The US-led coalition successfully liberated Kuwait from Iraqi forces on 28 February 1991. However, Saddam Hussein remained in power in Iraq, and the country became economically crippled and internationally isolated.
Operation Desert Storm was a massive US-led air offensive that began on 16-17 January 1991. It involved one of the largest and most impressive air campaigns of all time, with coalition aircraft flying over 100,000 sorties.
