Ava Romero
The Gulf War, also known as the Persian Gulf War, was an international conflict that took place between August 2, 1990, and February 28, 1991. It was triggered by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, which was ordered by the country's leader, Saddam Hussein, with the aim of acquiring Kuwait's large oil reserves, cancelling a large debt owed to Kuwait, and expanding Iraqi power in the region. The conflict marked the introduction of live news broadcasts from the front lines of the battle and saw some of the largest tank battles in American military history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dates | 2 August 1990 – 28 February 1991 |
| Combatants | Iraq vs. a 42-country coalition led by the US |
| Cause | Iraq's invasion of Kuwait |
| Aims | Iraq: acquisition of Kuwait's oil reserves, debt cancellation, expansion of power in the region. US: prevention of Iraqi incursion |
| Outcome | Iraqi defeat and retreat from Kuwait |
| Casualties | 392 coalition deaths, incl. 47 British soldiers; 20,000–35,000 Iraqi deaths; over 3,000 civilian deaths |
| Other impacts | Introduction of live news broadcasts from front lines; large environmental impact due to oil well fires and spills; Gulf War syndrome in over 40% of US veterans |
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What You'll Learn
The Gulf War's causes
The Gulf War of 1990-1991 was an international conflict between Iraq and Kuwait and a US-led coalition of 42 countries, triggered by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.
On August 2, 1990, a force of 100,000 Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait, occupying the country within two days. The invasion was primarily driven by disputes over Kuwait's alleged slant drilling in Iraq's Rumaila oil field, as well as Iraq's desire to cancel its large debt to Kuwait from the recently concluded Iran-Iraq War. Iraq's leader, Saddam Hussein, also aimed to expand Iraqi regional power.
In the months leading up to the invasion, tensions between Iraq and Kuwait escalated. Saddam Hussein accused Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates of exceeding oil export quotas set by OPEC, depressing prices and depriving Iraq of critical oil revenues. He also alleged that Kuwait was stealing oil from the Rumaila oil field, which straddled their border. On July 17, 1990, Saddam launched a televised verbal attack on Kuwait and the UAE, marking a deterioration of relations. Despite personal assurances from Saddam to the Egyptian President, Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait on August 2.
Following the invasion, Kuwaiti royalty escaped to Saudi Arabia, appealing for international support. The United Nations Security Council responded by imposing an embargo and sanctions on Iraq. The US-led coalition's military response, known as Operation Desert Storm, began on January 16-17, 1991, with a massive air campaign targeting Iraq's air defences, communications networks, government buildings, weapons plants, oil refineries, and infrastructure. This was followed by a ground offensive, Operation Desert Sabre, launched on February 24, 1991, which successfully liberated Kuwait City and drove Iraqi forces into retreat. The conflict concluded on February 28, 1991, with an Iraqi defeat and retreat from Kuwait.
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Operation Desert Shield
The Gulf War was an international conflict between Iraq and a 42-country coalition led by the United States, which took place between August 1990 and February 1991. The war was triggered by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait on 2 August 1990, which was ordered by the country's leader, Saddam Hussein. The invasion was primarily motivated by disputes over Kuwait's alleged slant drilling in Iraq's Rumaila oil field and Iraq's desire to cancel its large debt to Kuwait from the recently ended Iran-Iraq War.
During this phase, Saddam Hussein appeared on state television with Western hostages, refusing them exit visas. He also proposed a deal to the White House, offering to "withdraw from Kuwait and allow foreigners to leave" in exchange for the lifting of sanctions and access to the Persian Gulf through Kuwaiti islands. On 15 August, he also announced that Iraq was ready to accept Iranian terms for the settlement of the Iran-Iraq War.
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Operation Desert Storm
The Gulf War was an armed conflict between Iraq and a 42-country coalition led by the United States. The war was waged in two phases, the first being Operation Desert Shield, which marked the military buildup from August 1990 to January 1991. The second phase was Operation Desert Storm, which was the combat phase.
The environmental impact of the war was significant, with Iraqi forces causing over six hundred oil well fires and the largest oil spill up to that point. The US bombing and post-war demolition of Iraqi chemical weapons facilities were concluded to be the primary cause of Gulf War syndrome, a cluster of illnesses reported by many veterans of the conflict.
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The Gulf War's environmental impact
The Gulf Wars, encompassing the First Gulf War (1990-1991) and the Second Gulf War or Iraq War (2003), had significant environmental repercussions that continue to affect the region. The conflict resulted in substantial environmental degradation, impacting the Persian Gulf countries, including the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Kuwait. Iran and Kuwait bore the brunt of the environmental damage due to their central role in the conflict.
One of the most devastating environmental consequences of the First Gulf War was the oil fires and spills caused by the destruction of Kuwaiti oil wells and refineries. Over 700 oil wells were blown up, with most of them igniting and burning approximately six million barrels of oil per day for nearly ten months. This resulted in the release of approximately 3.5 million tons of crude oil into the desert, creating oil lakes that covered around 50 square kilometers. The Sea Island Terminal Oil Spill on January 19, 1991, was a significant incident, contributing to the overall spillage of 7-9 million barrels of oil into the Persian Gulf. The Saudi coast was severely affected, with oil depths of up to 15 inches in certain areas, wreaking havoc on the nesting grounds of endangered sea turtles, birds, fisheries, and shrimp-spawning areas. The environmental impact extended as far as southern Turkey, where black acidic rain fell in March 1991.
The combustion of oil from the fires polluted Kuwait's air with toxic gases such as hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide, leading to decreased air quality and an increase in respiratory diseases among residents and those in surrounding countries. The soot particles accumulated at altitudes between 1,000 and 3,000 meters, impacting the climate in Kuwait and neighboring regions. Temperatures dropped by up to 10 degrees Celsius compared to normal years, affecting both vegetation and wildlife.
The use of depleted uranium by the US military to harden ammunition and tanks also had environmental and health implications. Upon impact, depleted uranium breaks down into small particles that can easily be inhaled or spread through the air, contaminating soil and water systems and posing risks to human health. Additionally, the large-scale displacement of refugees, the movement of military equipment and troops, and the presence of unexploded ordnance and landmines further strained the environment.
In the aftermath of the 1991 Gulf War, the United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC) was established to assist neighboring nations in recovering financially and environmentally from the conflict. However, even decades later, the full environmental legacy of the Gulf Wars has yet to be addressed, underscoring the long-term impact of wartime environmental damage.
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The Gulf War's aftermath
The Gulf War, fought between Iraq and a US-led coalition of 42 countries, ended with a ceasefire agreement that required Iraq to end its weapons of mass destruction programs, recognise Kuwait, and return Kuwaiti property. However, the aftermath of the war was disastrous for Iraq, with its military, economy, and society left almost completely incapacitated. The Iraqi government described the economic sanctions imposed on them as a form of economic warfare, which, along with the war's destruction, made it difficult to support even the basic costs of governing.
The war also had significant geopolitical consequences. It marked the first major international crisis of the post-Cold War era and set important precedents for the use of military force. The US-led response, which included an unprecedented international coalition, demonstrated the ability to forge international alliances to oppose aggression. However, the handling of the crisis and its aftermath also led to tensions with Russia and contributed to a fraying of the post-Cold War order.
In the years following the war, there were widespread uprisings that threatened Saddam Hussein's regime. Senior officials defected, and Iraq used its influence to drive a wedge between the US and its allies, particularly France and Russia. Saddam also sought to strengthen ties with Arab states that had supported Iraq during the war, which was supported by the US as a way to maintain influence in the region.
The conflict 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.
The Gulf War of 1990-1991, also known as the First Gulf War or the First Iraq War, was followed by the 2003 invasion of Iraq, often referred to as the Second Gulf War or the Iraq War. This later conflict demonstrated the ability of lightly armed insurgents to engage a technologically superior foe through non-conventional warfare tactics.
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Frequently asked questions
The Gulf War began on 2 August 1990, when Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein ordered an invasion of Kuwait.
The Gulf War lasted around 7 months, ending on 28 February 1991 with the liberation of Kuwait.
The Gulf War is also known as the Persian Gulf War, the First Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the Kuwait War.
