Persian Gulf War - Facts & Summary - HISTORY.com Persian Gulf War A+E Networks Introduction Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein ordered the invasion and occupation of neighboring Kuwait in early August 1990. Alarmed by these actions, fellow Arab powers such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt called on the United States and other Western nations to intervene. Hussein defied United Nations Security Council demands to withdraw from Kuwait by mid-January 1991, and the Persian Gulf War began with a massive U.S.-led air offensive known as Operation Desert Storm. After 42 days of relentless attacks by the allied coalition in the air and on the ground, U.S. President George H.W. Bush declared a cease-fire on February 28; by that time, most Iraqi forces in Kuwait had either surrendered or fled. Though the Persian Gulf War was initially considered an unqualified success for the international coalition, simmering conflict in the troubled region led to a second Gulf War–known as the Iraq War–that began in 2003.

Google Background of the Persian Gulf War Though the long-running war between Iran and Iraq had ended in a United Nations-brokered ceasefire in August 1988, by mid-1990 the two states had yet to begin negotiating a permanent peace treaty. When their foreign ministers met in Geneva that July, prospects for peace suddenly seemed bright, as it appeared that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein was prepared to dissolve that conflict and return territory that his forces had long occupied. Two weeks later, however, Hussein delivered a speech in which he accused neighboring nation Kuwait of siphoning crude oil from the Ar-Rumaylah oil fields located along their common border. He insisted that Kuwait and Saudi Arabia and cancel out $30 billion of Iraq’s foreign debt, and accused them of conspiring to keep oil prices low in an effort to pander to Western oil-buying nations. Did You Know? In justifying his invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, Saddam Hussein claimed it was an artificial state carved out of the Iraqi coast by Western colonialists; in fact, Kuwait had been internationally recognized as a separate entity before Iraq itself was created by Britain under a League of Nations mandate after World War I.

In addition to Hussein’s incendiary speech, Iraq had begun amassing troops on Kuwait’s border. Alarmed by these actions, President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt initiated negotiations between Iraq and Kuwait in an effort to avoid intervention by the United States or other powers from outside the Gulf region. Hussein broke off the negotiations after only two hours, and on August 2, 1990 ordered the invasion of Kuwait. Hussein’s assumption that his fellow Arab states would stand by in the face of his invasion of Kuwait, and not call in outside help to stop it, proved to be a miscalculation. Two-thirds of the 21 members of the Arab League condemned Iraq’s act of aggression, and Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd, along with Kuwait’s government-in-exile, turned to the United States and other members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) for support. Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait & Allied Response U.S. President George H.W. Bush immediately condemned the invasion, as did the governments of Britain and the Soviet Union. On August 3, the United Nations Security Council called for Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait; three days later, King Fahd met with U.S.

Secretary of Defense Richard Cheney to request U.S. military assistance. On August 8, the day on which the Iraqi government formally annexed Kuwait–Hussein called it Iraq’s “19th province”–the first U.S. Air Force fighter planes began arriving in Saudi Arabia as part of a military buildup dubbed Operation Desert Shield. The planes were accompanied by troops sent by NATO allies as well as Egypt and several other Arab nations, designed to guard against a possible Iraqi attack on Saudi Arabia. In Kuwait, Iraq increased its occupation forces to some 300,000 troops. In an effort to garner support from the Muslim world, Hussein declared a jihad, or holy war, against the coalition; he also attempted to ally himself with the Palestinian cause by offering to evacuate Kuwait in return for an Israeli withdrawal from the occupied territories. When these efforts failed, Hussein concluded a hasty peace with Iran so as to bring his army up to full strength. The Gulf War Begins On November 29, 1990, the U.N. Security Council authorized the use of “all necessary means” of force against Iraq if it did not withdraw from Kuwait by the following January 15.

By January, the coalition forces prepared to face off against Iraq numbered some 750,000, including 540,000 U.S. personnel and smaller forces from Britain, France, Germany, the Soviet Union, Japan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, among other nations. Iraq, for its part, had the support of Jordan (another vulnerable neighbor), Algeria, the Sudan, Yemen, Tunisia and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). Early on the morning of January 17, 1991, a massive U.S.-led air offensive hit Iraq’s air defenses, moving swiftly on to its communications networks, weapons plants, oil refineries and more. The coalition effort, known as Operation Desert Storm, benefited from the latest military technology, including Stealth bombers, Cruise missiles, so-called “Smart” bombs with laser-guidance systems and infrared night-bombing equipment. The Iraqi air force was either destroyed early on or opted out of combat under the relentless attack, the objective of which was to win the war in the air and minimize combat on the ground as much as possible.

War on the Ground By mid-February, the coalition forces had shifted the focus of their air attacks toward Iraqi ground forces in Kuwait and southern Iraq. A massive allied ground offensive, Operation Desert Sabre, was launched on February 24, with troops heading from northeastern Saudi Arabia into Kuwait and southern Iraq. Over the next four days, coalition forces encircled and defeated the Iraqis and liberated Kuwait. At the same time, U.S. forces stormed into Iraq some 120 miles west of Kuwait, attacking Iraq’s armored reserves from the rear. The elite Iraqi Republican Guard mounted a defense south of Al-Basrah in southeastern Iraq, but most were defeated by February 27. With Iraqi resistance nearing collapse, Bush declared a ceasefire on February 28, ending the Persian Gulf War. According to the peace terms that Hussein subsequently accepted, Iraq would recognize Kuwait’s sovereignty and get rid of all its weapons of mass destruction (including nuclear, biological and chemical weapons). In all, an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 Iraqi forces were killed, in comparison with only 300 coalition troops.

Aftermath of the Persian Gulf War Though the Gulf War was recognized as a decisive victory for the coalition, Kuwait and Iraq suffered enormous damage, and Saddam Hussein was not forced from power. Intended by coalition leaders to be a “limited” war fought at minimum cost, it would have lingering effects for years to come, both in the Persian Gulf region and around the world. In the immediate aftermath of the war, Hussein’s forces brutally suppressed uprisings by Kurds in the north of Iraq and Shi’ites in the south. The United States-led coalition failed to support the uprisings, afraid that the Iraqi state would be dissolved if they succeeded.In the years that followed, U.S. and British aircraft continued to patrol skies and mandate a no-fly zone over Iraq, while Iraqi authorities made every effort to frustrate the carrying out of the peace terms, especially United Nations weapons inspections. This resulted in a brief resumption of hostilities in 1998, after which Iraq steadfastly refused to admit weapons inspectors. In addition, Iraqi force regularly exchanged fire with U.S. and British aircraft over the no-fly zone. In 2002, the United States (now led by President George W.

Bush , son of the former president) sponsored a new U.N. resolution calling for the return of weapons inspectors to Iraq; U.N. inspectors reentered Iraq that November. Amid differences between Security Council member states over how well Iraq had complied with those inspections, the United States and Britain began amassing forces on Iraq’s border. Bush (without further U.N. approval) issued an ultimatum on March 17, 2003, demanding that Saddam Hussein step down from power and leave Iraq within 48 hours, under threat of war. Hussein refused, and the second Persian Gulf War–more generally known as the Iraq War–began three days later. Tags The Persian Gulf War . George H. W. Bush . WGBH American Experience | PBS Other General Articles Iraq's August 2, 1990 invasion of Kuwait sent shockwaves around the world. Not only were the oil-rich states of the Persian Gulf important to the world economy. President George H.W. Bush also saw the invasion as a direct threat to the international system.

Good and Evil Bush, a World War II veteran, condemned the aggression and spoke of it in terms of "good and evil," often comparing Iraqi president Saddam Hussein to Adolf Hitler . For Bush, the only possible resolution to this "naked act of aggression" would be a clear and unequivocal withdrawal of Iraqi forces. And Bush became convinced early on that only military action would force Saddam to pull back. Building and International Coalition Bush saw the invasion as a chance to strengthen the international community. Soon after Iraq's action became known, Bush drew on a lifetime of international contacts to begin putting together an international coalition. Within hours the United Nations Security Council had condemned the invasion and within days it had imposed sanctions on Iraq. The unanimous actions by the Security Council were the international body's strongest show of unanimity since its inception. Only a day after the invasion, the United States and the Soviet Union stood together in condemning the attack and cutting off the supply of arms to Baghdad. In all, the Security Council would approve 12 resolutions on Iraq. The Post-Cold War World For Bush the Security Council provided domestic political cover -- his advisors felt strong U.N. action would help to convince the American public of the importance of American involvement.

But the president also felt that a show of force by the international community would help to set a precedent for the post-Cold War world . He hoped that the creation of what he called the "new world order" might help to deter such situations in the future and define a new era of international cooperation . Seeking Clear-Cut Victory President Bush's experiences in combat were never far from his mind as he began to discuss possible war plans with Secretary of Defense Richard Cheney and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Colin Powell. Powell would later remark that he was surprised by the level of detail in the president's questioning about the plans. After reviewing the initial draft, the president sent the war planners back to the drawing board. Bush wanted an approach that left no room for defeat. He was determined to provide the military with whatever they needed to win quickly and decisively. Cheney referred to Bush's approach as a post-Vietnam "don't screw-around school of military strategy." Stopping Short of Baghdad On January 17, 1991, American and allied forces began launching air attacks on Iraqi forces and on February 24 the ground campaign began.

By February 27, the coalition had achieved their stated mission of ejecting the Iraqi army out of Kuwait. Exactly 100 hundred hours after the ground battle had begun, the allies suspended all offensive operations. While Bush's decision to conclude the war without removing Saddam Hussein from power would become controversial, his advisors would recall that the president was insistent that the war should not exceed the authorization of the Security Council. Interviewed in 2007, when the U.S. had been fighting in Iraq for more than four years in a war initiated by Bush's son, President George W. Bush, Colin Powell remarked, "In recent months, nobody's been asking me about why we didn't go to Baghdad. Pretty good idea now why Baghdad should always be looked at with some reservations." The Persian Gulf War (Jan. 16, 1991–April 6, 1991) The Persian Gulf War (Jan. 16, 1991–April 6, 1991) 1990 Iraq invades its tiny neighbor, Kuwait, after talks break down over oil production and debt repayment.

Iraqi president Saddam Hussein later annexes Kuwait and declares it a 19th province of Iraq (Aug. 2). President Bush believes that Iraq intends to invade Saudi Arabia and take control of the region's oil supplies. He begins organizing a multinational coalition to seek Kuwait's freedom and restoration of its legitimate government. The UN Security Council authorizes economic sanctions against Iraq. Bush orders U.S. troops to protect Saudi Arabia at the Saudis' request and “Operation Desert Shield” begins (Aug. 6). 230,000 American troops arrive in Saudi Arabia to take defensive action, but when Iraq continues a huge military buildup in Kuwait, the President orders an additional 200,000 troops deployed to prepare for a possible offensive action by the U.S.-led coalition forces. He subsequently obtains a UN Security Council resolution setting a Jan. 15, 1991 deadline for Iraq to withdraw unconditionally from Kuwait (Nov. 8). 1991 Bush wins congressional approval for his position with the most devastating air assault in history against military targets in Iraq and Kuwait (Jan. 16).

He rejects a Soviet-Iraq peace plan for a gradual withdrawal that does not comply with all the UN resolutions and gives Iraq an ultimatum to withdraw from Kuwait by noon Feb. 23 (Feb. 22). The president orders the ground war to begin (Feb. 24). In a brilliant and lightning-fast campaign, U.S. and coalition forces smash through Iraq's defenses and defeat Saddam Hussein's troops in only four days of combat. Allies enter Kuwait City (Feb. 26). Iraqi army sets fire to over 500 of Kuwait's oil wells as final act of destruction to Kuwait's infrastructure. Bush orders a unilateral cease-fire 100 hours after the ground offensive started (Feb. 27). Allied and Iraqi military leaders meet on battlefield to discuss terms for a formal cease-fire to end the Gulf War. Iraq agrees to abide by all of the UN resolutions (Mar. 3). The first Allied prisoners of war are released (Mar. 4). Official cease-fire accepted and signed (April 6). 532,000 U.S. forces served in Operation Desert Storm. There were a total of 147 U.S.

battle deaths during the Gulf War, 145 nonbattle deaths, and 467 wounded in action. The Persian Gulf War took place between the years 1990 to early 1991.docx - Th The Persian Gulf War took place between the years 1990 to early 1991.docx The Persian Gulf War took place between the years 1990 to early 1991.docx SCHOOL View Full Document The Persian Gulf War took place between the years 1990 to early 1991. When we talk of the Persian Gulf War, Iraq's attack on Kuwait, followed by United States elimination of the Iraqi presence in Kuwait - both are included in it. This war, just like any other war, had huge repercussions on the environment, the economies of the countries involved as well as on the people, both commoners as well as the war veterans. Given below are the causes and effects of the Persian Gulf War. Causes As everyone knows that the entire world depends on the Arab nations for its oil needs. The scenario was no different in the year 1990.

Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq were the main suppliers of oil to the world. There were two main reasons why Iraq invaded Kuwait. The foremost being that Iraq was under huge economic debt due to the long Iran-Iraq war, which lasted from 1980 to 1988. It owed a lot of money to various countries, including Kuwait. To pay off the debt, it depended largely on the revenues it attained from selling oil. This is where the second reason behind the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait arose. Iraq felt that Kuwait and Saudi Arabia were overproducing oil and due to this, oil prices were not able to stabilize at a high price. This preview has intentionally blurred sections. Sign up to view the full version. This is the end of the preview. Sign up to access the rest of the document. TERM Values Our company's foundation is built on our values, which distinguish us and guid Values.docx Desert Storm Blog Desert Storm Operation Desert Storm, popularly known as the first Gulf War, was the successful U.S.-Allied response to Iraq's attempt to overwhelm neighboring Kuwait. Kuwait's liberation in 1991 brought to the battlefield a new era of military technology.

Nearly all battles were aerial and ground combat within Iraq, Kuwait, and outlying areas of Saudi Arabia. Iraq inflicted little damage on the American coalition; however, they fired missiles on Israeli citizens. History At the request of the Kuwaitis, Kuwait had become a British Protectorate in 1889. British forces protected the area until 1961. Kuwait was a part of Iraq until 1923, when borders were drawn. On June 19, 1961, British protection ended and Kuwait joined the Arab League. Iraq objected strongly and claimed that Kuwait was part of their territory. Kuwait formed its own constitution on January 1963. Accordingly, the emir held the executive power, organized with a group of ministers. By January 23, a national assembly was elected. By October, 1963, Iraq gave up its claim on Kuwait. Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein wanted to regain that lost land for Iraq, and so he invaded. Leading up to war On August 2, 1990, Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait.

Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein had been making threats against Kuwait for some time, but his actual invasion caught most of the world by surprise. The magnitude of the invasion also was a surprise. Those who had expected an attack, such as the commander of U.S. Central Command, Norman Schwarzkopf, expected a limited attack to seize Kuwaiti oil fields. Instead, within a number of hours, Iraqi forces had seized downtown Kuwait City and were headed south toward the Saudi Arabia border. Word of the Iraqi attack reached Washington, D.C. , as Iraqi forces assembled at the Saudi border. The Pentagon had plans in place to aid the Saudis, and U.S. forces went on standby for the Saudis' request. Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney and General Schwarzkopf met with King Fahd of Saudi Arabia to brief him on the plans, which he approved. Within minutes of the meeting, orders were issued, and thus began the largest buildup of American forces since the Vietnam War . Within a short period, members of the 82nd Airborne Division, as well as 300 combat aircraft, were headed for Saudi Arabia.

A deadline set for Saddam Hussein By the end of September 1990, there were nearly 200,000 American personnel in Saudi Arabia ï¿½ enough to repel any Iraqi attack. The initial plan to drive Iraqi forces from Kuwait called for a direct offensive aimed at Kuwait City; but Schwarzkopf and other American commanders thought that the risk was too great against heavily armed, well-entrenched defenders. Instead, they called for additional troops to prepare for the largest military cleanup ever seen. President Bush (with Saudi approval) ordered an additional 140,000 soldiers , including the Third Armored Division with its Abrams M1A tanks. During that period, reinforcements from numerous other nations arrived, including British, French, Egyptian and even Syrian forces. On November 29, the UN Security Council passed a resolution authorizing the use of force if Iraq did not withdraw from Kuwait by January 15. Superior U.S. air power On the morning of January 16, 1991, Allied forces began the first phase of Desert Storm, also known as Desert Shield.

American forces first destroyed Iraqi border radar stations, then other key elements of the Iraqi anti-aircraft network; lastly, they began to bomb key targets in downtown Iraq, including the presidential palace, communication centers, and power stations. The Allied forces lost only two aircraft during the attacks. The assault continued day and night. Those initial air attacks constituted the first time the American military witnessed how their new arsenal performed in combat conditions. With such ground systems as the M1A1 Abrams missile and the MIM-104 Patriot missile, the Iraq military had little opportunity to defend themselves. Also, such other groundbreaking technology as the Global Positioning System (GPS), helped to pinpoint hits by the Tomahawk missile and other weapons. The damage done by U.S. air attacks was devastating to Saddam's vaunted Republican Guard. The following U.S. aircraft left "a big hurt" on the enemy during the war: AH-64 Apache helicopters, B-52 Stratofortress bombers, E-3 AWACS surveillance aircraft, F-117A Stealth fighters, E-8C JSTARS radar command posts, and the RPVs (drones). Overall, the coalition air campaign (consisting mostly of U.S.

pilots) accumulated a total of 109,876 sorties over the 43-day air war ï¿½ averaging 2,555 sorties per day. Of those, more than 27,000 sorties struck enemy Scuds, airfields, air defenses, electrical power, biological and chemical weapons caches, headquarters, intelligence assets, communications, the Iraqi army, and oil refineries. Scuds fired at Israel and the attack on Al Khafji At 3 a.m on January 17, the Iraqis fired seven Scud missiles at Israel. Israelis were awaiting the Scuds with gas masks on, thanks to Saddam's previous threats to burn half of Israel with chemical weapons. As it turned out, the Scuds bore only conventional warheads, but their terror value was high. To avoid a wider war, U.S. officials pleaded with Israeli officials to not respond to the Scud attacks. The Israelis agreed because the Americans promised to target all Scud missile sites and knock them out. On January 29, following two weeks of punishing coalition air assaults, the Iraqis mounted their one and only attack subsequent to the invasion at the Battle of Khafji .

The Iraqi Fifth Mechanized Division attacked south, capturing the Saudi town of Al Khafji eight miles south of the Kuwaiti border. The Iraqis overran the first Saudi force that attempted a counterattack and, despite massive American air attacks, they held on to the town through the day and night. The next day was a different story, however, when Saudis recaptured the town, forcing the remaining Iraqis to flee to the Kuwaiti border. Operation Desert Sabre After a 38-day air campaign, Operation Desert Sabre, a massive ground attack, was launched by Americans and the coalition into both Iraq and Kuwait. Day One ground attack. On February 24th at 4 a.m., Allied troops led by U.S. Marines crossed the border into Iraq. During the days before the attack, Iraqi troops had been subjected to merciless air attacks; every imaginable target was destroyed with accuracy. The Allied offensive targeted three major offensive venues: the first aimed at Kuwait City, the second to the west aimed at the Iraqi flank, and the final one far to the west, beyond the major Iraqi lines that would totally outflank Iraqi lines.

In the first day of the war the marines advanced halfway to Kuwait City and the western advances proceeded without difficulty ï¿½ while capturing thousands of Iraqi deserters. The first day of ground fighting resulted in minimal American casualties. Day Two ground attack. As Day Two approached, an Iraqi Scud missile destroyed the U.S. barracks in Dhahran, killing 28 U.S. soldiers. With morale nevertheless high, American troops advanced on all fronts. The marines approached Kuwait City, while the western flank began to cut off the Iraqi Army's retreat route. Coalition casualties for Day Two were, once again, light. Day Three ground attack Day Three dawned on the largest tank battle in history. The American armored forces engaged the tank forces of the Iraqi Republican guard. Like shooting fish in a barrel, the American tanks destroyed the Iraqi heavy armor without losing a single tank. On February 26th, Iraqi troops began to retreat from Kuwait while setting fire to an estimated 700 Kuwaiti oil wells. A long convoy of Iraqi troops, as well as Iraqi and Palestinian civilians, formed along the main Iraq-Kuwait highway.

That convoy was bombed so relentlessly by the Allies that it came to be known as the "Highway of Death." One hundred hours after the ground campaign began, President Bush declared a cease-fire ï¿½ declaring the liberation of Kuwait on February 27, 1991. Postwar epilogue On April 5th, 1991, President Bush announced that U.S. relief supply airdrops would be made to Kurdish refugees in Turkey and northern Iraq. After Iraq issued its acceptance of a cease-fire, Task Force Provide Comfort was formed and deployed to assist the Kurds. The U.S. transport delivered some 72,000 pounds of supplies in the first six Operation Provide Comfort missions. By April 20, the construction of the first Provide Comfort tent city began near Zakhu, Iraq. By war's end, U.S. forces released 71,204 Iraqi prisoners to Saudi control. U.S. casualties Army: 98 battle; 105 nonbattle Navy: six battle; eight nonbattle Marines: 24 battle; 26 nonbattle Air Force: 20 battle; six nonbattle. Resulting in 148 U.S.

battle deaths, and 145 nonbattle deaths, including 15 women. Wounded in action: 467. Iraqi casualties Of Iraq's 545,000 troops in the Kuwait theater of operations, an estimated 100,000 were killed, and 300,000 were wounded. I led my country in confrontation by an aggression launched by 33 countries led by U.S., which waged war against Iraq, the Iraqis' confrontation of which is called by Arabs and Iraqis as the Battle of Battles (Um Al-Maï¿½arik), where Iraq stood fast against the invasion, maintaining its sovereignty and political system. - Saddam Hussein's journal.

Iran-Iraq War - Facts & Summary - HISTORY.com Google During the eight years between Iraq’s formal declaration of war on September 22, 1980, and Iran’s acceptance of a cease-fire with effect on July 20, 1988, at the very least half a million and possibly twice as many troops were killed on both sides, at least half a million became permanent invalids, some 228 billion dollars were directly expended, and more than 400 billion dollars of damage (mostly to oil facilities, but also to cities) was inflicted, mostly by artillery barrages. Aside from that, the war was inconsequential: having won Iranian recognition of exclusive Iraqi sovereignty over the Shatt-el-Arab River (into which the Tigris and Euphrates combine, forming Iraq’s best outlet to the sea), in 1988 Saddam Hussein surrendered that gain when in need of Iran’s neutrality in anticipation of the 1991 Gulf War. Three things distinguish the Iran-Iraq War. First, it was inordinately protracted, lasting longer than either world war, essentially because Iran did not want to end it, while Iraq could not.

Second, it was sharply asymmetrical in the means employed by each side, because though both sides exported oil and purchased military imports throughout, Iraq was further subsidized and supported by Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, allowing it to acquire advanced weapons and expertise on a much larger scale than Iran. Third, it included three modes of warfare absent in all previous wars since 1945: indiscriminate ballistic-missile attacks on cities by both sides, but mostly by Iraq; the extensive use of chemical weapons (mostly by Iraq); and some 520 attacks on third-country oil tankers in the Persian Gulf-for which Iraq employed mostly manned aircraft with antishipping missiles against tankers lifting oil from Iran’s terminals, while Iran used mines, gunboats, shore-launched missiles, and helicopters against tankers lifting oil from the terminals of Iraq’s Arab backers.

When Saddam Hussein, president of Iraq, quite deliberately started the war, he miscalculated on two counts: first, in attacking a country greatly disorganized by revolution but also greatly energized by it-and whose regime could be consolidated only by a long “patriotic” war, as with all revolutionary regimes; and second, at the level of theater strategy, in launching a surprise invasion against a very large country whose strategic depth he was not even trying to penetrate. Had Iran been given ample warning, it would have mobilized its forces to defend its borderlands; that would have made the Iraqi invasion much more difficult, but in the process the bulk of Iranian forces might have been defeated, possibly forcing Iran to accept a cease-fire on Iraqi terms. As it was, the initial Iraqi offensive thrusts landed in the void, encountering only weak border units before reaching their logistical limits. At that point, Iran had only just started to mobilize in earnest. From then on, until the final months of the war eight years later, Iraq was forced on the strategic defensive, having to face periodic Iranian offensives on one sector or another, year after year.

After losing most of his territorial gains by May 1982 (when Iran recaptured Khorramshahr), Saddam Hussein’s strategic response was to proclaim a unilateral cease-fire (June 10, 1982) while ordering Iraqi forces to withdraw to the border. But Iran rejected a cease-fire, demanding the removal of Saddam Hussein and compensation for war damage. Upon Iraq’s refusal, Iran launched an invasion into Iraqi territory (Operation Ramadan , on July 13, 1982) in the first of many attempts over the coming years to conquer Basra, Iraq’s second city and only real port. But revolutionary Iran was very limited in its tactically offensive means. Cut off from U.S. supplies for its largely U.S.-equipped forces and deprived of the shah’s officer cadres who had been driven into exile, imprisoned, or killed, it never managed to reconstitute effective armored formations or its once large and modern air force. Iran’s army and Pasdaran revolutionary guards could mount only massed infantry attacks supported by increasingly strong artillery fire.

They capitalized on Iran’s morale and population advantage (forty million versus Iraq’s thirteen million), but although foot infantry could breach Iraqi defense lines from time to time, if only by costly human-wave attacks, it could not penetrate deeply enough in the aftermath to achieve decisive results. By 1988 Iran was demoralized by the persistent failure of its many “final” offensives over the years, by the prospect of unending casualties, by its declining ability to import civilian goods as well as military supplies, and by the Scud missile attacks on Teheran. But what finally ended the war was Iraq’s belated reversion to main-force offensive action on the ground. Having long conserved its forces and shifted to all-mechanized configurations to circumvent the reluctance of its troops to face enemy fire, Iraq attacked on a large scale in April 1988. The end came on July 18, when Iran accepted UN Resolution 598 calling for an immediate cease-fire, though minor Iraqi attacks continued for a few more days after the truce came into effect on July 20, 1988. The Reader’s Companion to Military History. Edited by Robert Cowley and Geoffrey Parker.

Copyright © 1996 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Tags Operation Desert Storm [ushistory.org] 60a. Operation Desert Storm In the 1988 election, George Bush and his running mate. Dan Quayle, won 54% of the popular vote and 426 of the 538 electoral votes, soundly beating Democrat Michael Dukakis. The first major foreign crisis for the United States after the end of the Cold War presented itself in August 1990. Saddam Hussein, the dictator of Iraq, ordered his army across the border into tiny Kuwait. This was no ordinary act of aggression. Iraq's army was well equipped. The United States had provided massive military aid to Iraq during their eight-year war with Iran, giving them the fourth largest army in the world. Kuwait was a major supplier of oil to the United States. The Iraqi takeover posed an immediate threat to neighboring Saudi Arabia, another major exporter of oil. If Saudi Arabia fell to Saddam, Iraq would control one-fifth of the world's oil supply. All eyes were on the White House, waiting for a response.

President Bush, who succeeded President Reagan, stated simply: "This will not stand." In the last months of 1990, the United States participated in the defense of Saudi Arabia in a deployment known as Operation Desert Shield. Over 500,000 American troops were placed in Saudi Arabia in case of an Iraqi attack on the Saudis. The U.S. further sought multilateral support in the United Nations Security Council. Traditionally, Iraq was an ally of the Soviet Union, who held a veto power over any potential UN military action. Looking westward for support for their dramatic internal changes, the USSR did not block the American plan. The UN condemned Iraq and helped form a coalition to fight Saddam militarily. Bush, remembering the lessons of Vietnam, sought public support as well. Although there were scant opponents of the conflict, the vast majority of Americans and a narrow majority of the Congress supported the President's actions. When all the forces were in place, the United States issued an ultimatum to Saddam Hussein: leave Kuwait by January 15,1991 or face a full attack by the multinational force. Saddam Hussein grew up in a poor family.

As a boy he was forced to steal eggs and chickens so the family could eat. In his late childhood he became a gun man for the Ba'ath Party and was involved in an assassination attempt on a military leader in Iraq. January 15 came and went with no response from the Iraqis. The next night Desert Shield became Desert Storm. Bombing sorties pummeled Iraq's military targets for the next several weeks. On many days there were over 2500 such missions. Iraq responded by launching Scud missiles at American military barracks in Saudi Arabia and Israel. Attacking Israel was a stratagem to persuade all the neighboring Arab nations to join the Iraqi cause. After intense diplomatic pressure and negotiation, the Arab nations remained in opposition to Iraq. On February 24, the ground war began. Although the bombing lasted for weeks, American ground troops declared Kuwait liberated just 100 hours after the ground attack was initiated. American foot soldiers moved through Kuwait and entered southern Iraq. This posed a dilemma for the United States. The military objectives were complete, but Saddam, the perpetrator of the rape of Kuwait, was still ruling Iraq from Baghdad. President Bush feared that the allies would not support the occupation of Baghdad.

Concerns were raised that if Saddam's regime were toppled, the entire nation could disintegrate into a civil war. Soon Iraq agreed to terms for a ceasefire, and the conflict subsided. This map shows the initial air attacks of Desert Storm made by the allied forces early in the morning on January 17, 1991. Iraq did not leave Kuwait untouched. Millions of dollars of valuables were plundered by the occupying troops. As Iraq retreated, they detonated explosives at many of Kuwait's oil wells. The disaster to the environment grew as Iraq dumped oil into the Persian Gulf. The costs were enormous, and casualty figure staggering. Although estimates range in the hundreds of thousands of Iraqi deaths, only 148 Americans were killed in the battle. This was primarily because of the technological advances of the United States. The Persian Gulf War was a television event. CNN broadcast round-the-clock coverage of unfolding events. Americans saw footage from cameras placed on smart bombs as they struck Iraqi targets. The stealth fighter, designed to avoid radar detection was put into use for the first time. General Norman Schwarzkopf and General Colin Powell became household names as citizens watched their direction of the conflict.

The United States passed its first test of the post-Cold War world. Skillful diplomacy proved that the United Nations could be used as an instrument of force when necessary. Although Moscow did not contribute troops to the operation, they gave tacit approval for the attack. The potential for multinational cooperation was demonstrated. The largest American military operation since Vietnam was completed with smashing success. Most Americans felt confident in their military and technological edge once more. President Bush promptly declared that the "new world order had begun." Of the half a million U.S. troops stationed in the Middle East during the Gulf War, only 148 were killed during the 42 day conflict. It cost the U.S. $60 billion to transport and sustain the forces, and fly over 22,000 strikes against the Iraqi army. The First Gulf War - Short History - Department History - Office of the Historian The First Gulf War - Short History - Department History A Short History of the Department of State The First Gulf War Of all the policy successes during this era, the Department of State and President Bush are most clearly associated with the successful effort to roll back the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. President G. H.W.

Bush visiting the Troops during the First Gulf War When Saddam Hussein invaded his small, oil-rich neighbor in the summer of 1990, the Department faced its first full-scale post-Cold War international crisis. Bush’s foreign policy team forged an unprecedented international coalition consisting of the NATO allies and the Middle Eastern countries of Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Egypt to oppose Iraqi aggression. Although Russia did not commit troops, it joined the United States in condemning Iraq, its long-time client state. The Department of State orchestrated the diplomacy for this grand coalition’s effective air campaign in January 1991, which was followed by “Operation Desert Storm,” a 100-hour land war, which expelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait. During the Gulf crisis, Secretary of State Baker relied heavily on two men—John Bolton, Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, who played a significant role in coordinating relations with the United Nations, and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Robert Kimmitt, who was Baker’s day-to-day crisis manager. One innovation that greatly facilitated decision-making during the Gulf War was the use of teleconferences, which saved many hours of travel time. Instead, Baker and others could communicate and display charts through cameras and television screens.

Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, John Bolton After the success in Kuwait, President Bush paid special tribute to the Foreign Service officers who labor in relative obscurity until they are caught up in a dangerous conflict or become the victims of international terrorism. President Bush made a special visit to the Department of State to honor 33 employees for their service at our embassies in Baghdad and Kuwait, which included finding food and supplies for trapped Americans in those countries and helping children to safe havens after fighting erupted. Acknowledging the peril most Americans never see, Bush said, “I know that often your jobs are not comfortable or safe.” Iraq was not the only trouble spot in the Middle East during Bush’s four years in office. The perennial tension between Israel and its Arab neighbors continued to test the expertise of the many U.S. ambassadors and area experts. Baker’s personal involvement, reflected in numerous trips to the region, helped bring about the first face-to-face talks between Israel and all of its Arab neighbors in Madrid, beginning in October 1991. Secretary Baker’s “shuttle diplomacy” rivaled Henry Kissinger ’s in 1974.

From the beginning of Baker’s tenure until August 23, 1992, when he resigned to become White House Chief of Staff, he made 217 trips abroad. Lawrence Eagleburger , who succeeded Baker, became the first Foreign Service officer to serve as Secretary of State. During a 27-year government career, Eagleburger had been a staffer for Kissinger’s National Security Council, and held numerous senior positions at the Department of State, including Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Deputy Under Secretary for Management, and Assistant Secretary for European Affairs. Eagleburger's appointment reflected Bush’s deep respect for the Foreign Service. Bush compiled an impressive record of nominating career officers to ambassadorships (72 percent), one of the best records for all Presidents in the post-1945 era. Operation Desert Storm Available from Chadwyck-Healey Washington, D.C., January 17, 2001 – On the morning of August 2, 1990 the mechanized infantry, armor, and tank units of the Iraqi Republican Guard invaded Kuwait and seized control of that country.

The invasion triggered a United States response, Operation DESERT SHIELD, to deter any invasion of Kuwait's oil rich neighbor, Saudi Arabia. On August 7, deployment of U.S. forces began. United Nations Security Council Resolutions 660 and 662 condemned Iraq's invasion and annexation and called for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Iraqi forces. On August 20 President Bush signed National Security Directive 45, "U.S. Policy in Response to the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait," outlining U.S. objectives - which included the "immediate, complete, and unconditional withdrawal of all Iraqi forces from Kuwait," and the "restoration of Kuwait's legitimate government to replace the puppet regime installed by Iraq." 1 A U.N. ultimatum, Security Council Resolution 678, followed on November 29, 1990. It stipulated that if Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein did not remove his troops from Kuwait by January 15, 1991 a U.S.-led coalition was authorized to drive them out. Early in the morning of January 17, Baghdad time, the U.S.-led coalition launched air attacks against Iraqi targets.

On February 24, coalition ground forces begin their attack. On February 27, Kuwait City was declared liberated, and with allied forces having driven well into Iraq, President Bush and his advisers decided to halt the war. A cease-fire took effect at 8:00 the following morning. 2 The history of the Gulf War has a multitude of components - including internal decisionmaking as well as diplomatic, economic, and conventional military activities. This briefing book primarily focuses on the intelligence, space operations, and Scud-hunting aspects of the war. It also includes a report describing how Desert Storm affected China's view of future warfare, a document that raises questions as to what lessons other nations have drawn from U.S. military engagements in the Middle East and the Balkans. THE DOCUMENTS Document 1 : Defense Intelligence Agency, Scud B Study, August 1974. Secret, 18 pp. A crucial element of the Persian Gulf war was the Iraqi launch of its modified Scud missiles. Iraq originally obtained Scud missiles, along with much of the rest of its military equipment, from their producer--the Soviet Union.

This 1970s study provides basic data on various aspects of the Scud B--including, among others, its range, payload, warhead type, and accuracy. It also provides information on the background of the missile and conclusions based on U.S. materiel exploitation of one or more Scuds. 3 Document 2 : George Bush, National Security Directive 45, U.S. Policy in Response to the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait, August 20, 1990. Secret, 5 pp. This NSD was the first of two key Presidential directives that guided U.S. policy and actions in response to Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait. The directive articulated U.S. interests in the region and the four principles that would guide U.S. policy during the crisis--including the "immediate, complete, and unconditional withdrawal of all Iraqi forces from Kuwait" and "a commitment to the security and stability of the Persian Gulf." The directive went on to specify diplomatic, economic, energy, and military measures the U.S. would take to achieve its objectives. Document 3 : DIA Iraq Regional Intelligence Task Force, Iraq Launches Multiple SRBM's Dec 2, December 3, 1990.

Secret/Noforn, 1 p. On December 2, 1990, six weeks before the United States and its allies initiated Operation Desert Storm, Iraq test launched three Scud missiles from sites in eastern Iraq, which impacted in western Iraq. This DIA report, based at least in part on data from Defense Support Program launch detection satellites, provides first notification of the launch and basic data on the nature of the missiles--including type, launch sites and impact areas--as well as other relevant information. It was reported that the Iraqi test firing allowed the U.S. to fine-tune its launch detection system, which proved of great value during Desert Storm. 4 Document 4 : George Bush, National Security Directive 54, Responding to Iraqi Aggression in the Gulf, January 15, 1991. Top Secret, 3 pp. This National Security Directive provided the authorization for U.S. forces to begin military action, authorized by various U.N. resolutions, to expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait. The directive notes that while the economic sanctions imposed on Iraq "have had measurable impact upon Iraq's economy but have not accomplished the intended objective of ending Iraq's occupation of Kuwait.

There is no persuasive evidence that they will do so in a timely manner." The directive goes on to specify the objectives of military action (identical to the ones in NSD 45) and the means of accomplishing those objectives. In addition, the directive states that the United States would not support efforts to change the boundaries of Iraq, but delineates Iraqi actions (including an attempt to destroy Kuwait's oil fields) that would lead the U.S. to seek to "replace the current leadership of Iraq." Despite Iraq's setting fire to Kuwaiti oil wells, the United States decided not to try to replace the regime of Saddam Hussein. Document 5 : John F. Stewart Jr., Operation Desert Storm, The Military Intelligence Story: A View from the G-2 3d U.S. Army, April 1991. Unclassified, 44 pp. This memoir, written by the Army's chief intelligence officer in the Persian Gulf theater of war, provides an overview of a number of aspects of Army and military intelligence activity during the Persian Gulf war. Stewart examines management and operational challenges, support to campaign planning, and key lessons learned.

Management challenges included finite capabilities of collection systems, competing requirements, and dissemination while operational challenges included targeting, battle damage assessment, a scarcity of Arabic linguists, and the need for updated maps. Lessons learned included the need for the Army "to develop an imagery architecture to provide near-real time photography to commanders from Corps through Brigade" as well as to emphasize the requirement for a "wide area, high resolution imagery capability." Document 6 : United States Central Command, Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, 11 July 1991. Executive Summary. Top Secret, 31 pp. This executive summary of the Central Command's assessment of operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm "focuses on events leading to the execution of combat operations and key assessments made during the crisis." It includes both a chronological account of events (Part I) as well as an assessment of functional areas (Part II). Thus, Part I examines pre-conflict events, Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, the creation of the allied coalition, Desert Shield, and Desert Storm. Part II explores operations and training, plans and policy, intelligence, communications, security assistance, logistics, force structure, personnel issues, legal issues, and public affairs activities.

Beyond recounting developments in these areas it notes shortfalls and lessons learned. Document 7 : Air Force Space Command, Desert Storm "Hot Wash" 12-13 Jul 1991, July 1991. Secret, 10 pp. This 9-page assessment examines space operations during Desert Storm with respect to nine different areas, including weather support, satellite communications (SATCOM), navigation, use of multi-spectral imagery, tactical ballistic missile warning, and satellite repositioning. Each page focuses on one area, and includes observations, discussion, lessons learned, and recommended actions. The assessment notes, inter alia, that satellite communications were indispensable but SATCOM radios/channels were stressed by a "flood of communications," that the Global Positioning System (GPS) provided navigation updates to virtually every weapon system in the theater, the need for wide area multi-spectral imagery, and that Defense Support Program satellites, originally designed to detect strategic ballistic missiles, were effective in detecting Scud launches. Document 8 : Defense Intelligence Agency, Defense Intelligence Assessment, Mobile Short-Range Ballistic Missile Targeting in Operation DESERT STORM, November 1991. Secret, 13 pp.

During the Persian Gulf War Iraq fired 88 Iraqi-modified Scuds at Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain. The Scud attacks on Israel threatened to provoke Israel into a counterattack, which the U.S. wished to avoid for fear that it would shatter the Allied coalition. From the beginning of the war destruction of Iraqi Scuds represented a high priority for U.S. and allied forces--which involved the use of space systems, aerial platforms, and special operations forces. Destruction of Iraq's mobile Scud forces proved far more difficult than expected, in part due to Iraqi tactics. At war's end there had been no confirmed kills of mobile Scuds. This post-war DIA assessment focuses on a number of subjects, including pre-war intelligence assumptions, Iraqi Scud deployment and dispersal, the capabilities of Iraq's extended range Scuds, and means of measuring the effectiveness of the counter-Scud effort.

It concluded that the "lessons learned during Operation DESERT STORM can provide the framework for developing a more effective, realistic approach to targeting both Third World ballistic missiles and Soviet mobile intercontinental ballistic missiles in the future." Document 9 : Office of History, HQ 37th Fighter Wing, Twelfth Air Force, Tactical Air Command, Nighthawks Over Iraq: A Chronology of the F-117A Stealth Fighter in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, January 1992. Unclassified, 37 pp. A key element in allied success in the Persian Gulf War was the U.S.-British led air campaign prior to the commencement of the ground campaign. That air campaign marked the first major use of the F-117A, "Nighthawk," stealth fighter, the existence of which was declassified in 1988 shortly before its first combat in Operation JUST CAUSE in Panama in 1989. This chronology, in addition to covering events related to F-117A deployment and operations, provides a day-by-day, wave-by-wave, account of operations against Iraqi targets.

It provides specifics on targets, bombs dropped, and the 37th Fighter Wing's general assessment of the effectiveness of the attacks. Subsequent studies of F-117A operations, such as that of the General Accounting Office, were more skeptical of the F-117A effectiveness. 5 Document 10 : United States Space Command, United States Space Command Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, January 1992. Secret/Noforn, 109 pp. This assessment examines the operations and impact of those space operations conducted by the U.S. Space Command and its components just prior to and during the Persian Gulf war. It thus excludes the classified imagery, signals intelligence, and measurement and signature intelligence satellite operations conducted by the CIA and National Reconnaissance Office. It does focus on the use of the Defense Support Program (launch detection), Global Positioning System (navigation), Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (weather) satellites as well as the operations of U.S. communications and LANDSAT (multispectral imagery) satellites. The document provides a timeline, a narrative of the sequence of events, an assessment of the contribution of each system discussed, and recommendations for future action. Document 11 : Coy F.

Cross II, 9th RW, The Dragon Lady Meets the Challenge: The U-2 in Desert Storm, n.d. Unclassified. (circa 1992), Chapters 6 and 7, 29 pp. The U-2 program began operations in 1956 with flights over Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. Overflights of the Soviet Union ended with the shootdown of Francis Gary Powers on May 1, 1960. But the program continued, and involved both peripheral reconnaissance missions as well as overflights of some nations, including China and Cuba. In Operation Desert Storm, the U-2 overflights of Iraq provided a large quantity of imagery. These two chapters of the monograph, written by the 9th Reconnaissance Wing's historian, provide an overview and assessment of U-2 operations in Desert Storm. Document 12 : Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Annual Historical Review, 1 October 1990 to 30 September 1991, 1993. pp.4-10 to 4-13. Secret, 5 pp.

Prior to the full establishment of the Defense HUMINT Service in 1995, each of the military services conducted human intelligence collection efforts in support of their departments. For years the most significant military service HUMINT effort, including both clandestine and overt HUMINT, was conducted by the U.S. Army. This portion of the 1991 fiscal year history for the Army's chief intelligence officer, summarizes some of the contributions of Army overt HUMINT operations, including those related to Desert Storm. According to the history, the collection of information from Iraqi émigrés and defectors provided valuable information with regard to the targeting of Iraqi military facilities as well as avoidance of the inadvertent targeting of certain non-military facilities. Document 13 : Defense Intelligence Agency, Intelligence Information Report, PLA Modernizes Its Military Training Program, June 23, 1995. Unclassified, 13 pp. The overwhelming and speedy victory of the U.S.-led coalition, along with the minimal casualties suffered, in the Persian Gulf war caught the attention of the military leadership of a number of countries. Among the components of the allied victory noted by foreign military leaders was the reliance on high-tech weaponry.

This Defense Department intelligence report examines changes in the military training program of the PRC People's Liberation Army. Subjects addressed include leadership views and guidance, night operations, and the role of air superiority and air defense. Document 14 : Brian G. Shellum, DIA, Defense Intelligence Crisis Response Procedures and the Gulf War, 1996. Unclassified, 19 pp. The essay by the DIA's deputy historian, examines the agency's role in providing intelligence support during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The essay also examines the evolution of DIA activities in support of crisis operations--from the early 1970s to the late 1980s--and the impact of the Goldwater-Nichols military reform legislation. Among the 1980s developments reviewed particular to DIA activities during the Persian Gulf war were the creation of National Military Intelligence Support Teams (NMISTs). The portion of the paper concerning the Gulf War focuses largely on the creation, operations, and, in some cases, theater deployment of elements to provide intelligence support to decision-makers and combatant commanders. These elements included the Iraqi Regional Intelligence Task Force, the Operational Intelligence Crisis Center, and the Department of Defense Joint Intelligence Center.

Document 15 : DCI Persian Gulf War Illnesses Task Force, Khamisiyah: A Historical Perspective on Related Intelligence, April 9, 1997. Unclassified, 24 pp. As a result of suggestions and allegations that the explanation for the illnesses of many Persian Gulf war veterans was to be found in examining events that took place in the theater during the war, President Clinton established an advisory committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses. To provide intelligence support, Director of Central Intelligence George Tenet established the Persian Gulf War Illnesses Task Force. One of its activities was to provide intelligence related to the concern that release of Iraqi chemical agents, possibly as result of the bombing of Iraqi chemical weapons storage sites, particularly Khamisiyah, might have exposed some members of the U.S. armed forces to the chemicals. This task force analysis provides an unclassified analysis of the Iraqi chemical warfare program, and discussion of pre-war intelligence on the Khamisiyah depot (including overhead imagery).

Several sections of the study examine, to a limited extent, the tasking, collection, analysis, and dissemination of intelligence concerning the possible presence of chemical weapons at Khamisiyah from the beginning of Desert Shield to 1997. It concludes with a discussion of some lessons learned. Document 16 : Defense Intelligence Agency, A Chronology of Defense Intelligence in the Gulf War: A Research Aid for Analysts, July 1997. Unclassified, 56 pp. This chronology, which begins in 1984 and concludes in August 1991, describes events related to DIA-conducted and directed activities relevant to the Persian Gulf War. The chronology includes information on the creation and/or deployment of units subordinate to DIA to provide intelligence support to officials in Washington and in the theater of operations. In addition, it contains some details on tasking of collection assets, collection operations, the production of intelligence, and its dissemination. Notes 1. U.S. News and World Report, Triumph Without Victory: The Unreported History of the Persian Gulf War (New York: Times Books, 1992), pp. 7-9. 2.

Richard Hallion, Storm over Iraq: Air Power and the Gulf War (Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution, 1992), p. 159; Rick Atkinson, Crusade: The Untold Story of the Persian Gulf War (Boston: Houghton-Mifflin, 1993), p. 511. 3. A Department of Defense information paper on Iraq's Scud Ballistic Missiles can be found at < >. 4. Robert C. Toth, "Iraqi Missile Test Had U.S. Thinking War Started," Los Angeles Times, December 21, 1990, pp. A1, A10. 5. General Accounting Office, "Operation Desert Storm: Evaluation of the Air Campaign," GAO/NSIA-97-134, June 1997. A Timeline of Operation Desert Storm A Timeline of Operation Desert Storm – February 26, 2013 Posted in: U.S. Army “Desert Storm” By Frank Thomas (Persian Gulf 1991) On January 16, 1991, Operation Desert Storm began.

The conflict, as know as the Gulf War, was waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, in response to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. On February 28, 1991, President Bush declared suspension of offensive combat and laid out conditions for permanent cease-fire. Check out the timeline below for a snapshot of events that took place during this time: Day 1: Wednesday, Jan. 16 Desert Storm begins at 7 p.m. EST (3 a.m. Jan. 17 in Iraq) with massive air and missile attacks on targets in Iraq, Kuwait. President Bush: “We will not fail.” Day 2: Thursday, Jan. 17 Iraqi President Saddam Hussein declares: “The great showdown has begun! The mother of all battles is under way.” Iraqi Scud missiles strike Israel. Scud fired at Saudi Arabia is downed by U.S. Patriot missile – first anti- missile missile fired in combat. Day 3: Friday, Jan. 18 Amid retaliation speculation, President Bush says Israel has promised not to respond to Iraq’s attack. Day 4: Saturday, Jan.

19 At least three Scuds explode in Tel Aviv, Israel, injuring about 17. Israel vows to defend itself but refrains. United States rushes in Patriots, making Army crews first U.S. soldiers to defend Israel. U.S. troops raid oil platforms off Kuwait, capturing first Iraqi prisoners of war. Day 5: Sunday, Jan. 20 Iraqi TV airs interviews with captured allied airmen. Iraq fires 10 Scuds at Saudi Arabia; nine are intercepted, one falls offshore. Screaming Eagles Attack Village Day 6: Monday, Jan. 21 U.S. officials say despite more than 8,000 sorties in five days, elusive mobile Scud missile launchers remain a threat. Iraq says it has scattered prisoners of war as shields at allied air targets. Day 7: Tuesday, Jan. 22 Iraq fires six Scud missiles at Saudi Arabia; one is destroyed by Patriot, others fall harmlessly. Iraq torches Kuwaiti oil wells, tanks. A Scud eludes U.S. Patriot missiles and hits Tel Aviv. Three people die. Day 8: Wednesday, Jan. 23 U.S.

officials deny Saddam Hussein’s claim that allies bombed baby-formula plant, saying plant was a chemical factory. Iraq fires Scuds at Israel and Saudi Arabia; no casualties. President Bush urges Saddam Hussein be brought to “justice,” suggesting removal of Iraqi president could be a goal. Day 9: Thursday, Jan. 24 Number of allied sorties surpasses 15,000. Saudi officials report two oil slicks moving south of Kuwait. Allies say Iraq released oil; Iraq blames allied bombs. Day 10: Friday, Jan. 25 Japan says it will send military aircraft to assist allies in non-combat situations. Scud missiles are fired at Israel and Saudi Arabia. Two people killed. Day 11: Saturday, Jan. 26 Massive oil spill grows, threatening Saudi Arabia’s industrial and desalination plants and gulf environment. Iraqi warplanes land in Iran. Iran says it has seized them. U.S. F-15s enter war’s first major dogfight, shoot down three Iraqi MiG- 23s. Pentagon confirms USS Louisville is first sub to launch cruise missile in combat. Scuds fired at Israel and Saudi Arabia; no casualties.

More than 75,000 protesters march in Washington, D.C. Day 12: Sunday, Jan. 27 Allies bomb Iraqi-held oil facilities in Kuwait to stop Iraq from dumping oil into gulf. Amid fears of terrorism, Super Bowl XXV goes off without a hitch. Day 13: Monday, Jan. 28 Iraq says captured allied pilots have been injured in allied bombing raids. Day 14: Tuesday, Jan. 29 In largest ground battle yet, battalion-size force of U.S. Marines (up to 800) fire artillery, mortars, TOW missiles, at Iraqi bunkers half-mile away in Kuwait. No U.S. casualties. United States, Soviet Union issue communique offering Iraq cease-fire if it makes “unequivocal commitment” to withdraw. Day 15: Wednesday, Jan. 30 Scores of Iraqi tanks, thousands of troops advance into Saudi Arabia. Attacks are countered by U.S. Marines, Saudi and Qatari troops. Eleven Marines die. Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, allied commander, says allies have air supremacy and are reducing Scud threat. Day 16: Thursday, Jan.

31 Saudi and Qatari troops, backed by U.S. artillery, retake Khafji, Saudi Arabia. Sheik Abdul-Aziz Bin Baz, Saudis’ leading interpreter of Islamic law, calls Saddam Hussein “enemy of God.” Day 17: Friday, Feb. 1 Allies bomb 10-mile-long Iraqi armored column headed into Saudi Arabia. Day 18: Saturday, Feb. 2 Two Scuds hit central Israel; no casualties. Patriot downs Scud over Saudi Arabia; two injured. Day 19: Sunday, Feb. 3 Allied air campaign passes 40,000-sortie mark – 10,000 more missions than were flown against Japan in final 14 months of World War II. Day 20: Monday, Feb. 4 Iran offers to mediate peace talks, resume official relations with United States. Battleship Missouri fires at Iraqi positions inside Kuwait – first time ship has fired in combat since Korean War. Day 21: Tuesday, Feb. 5 Iraq suspends fuel sales to civilians, worsening heating and transportation problems. Desert Storm: The Offensive Framework Syrian troops, in first combat action, repulse Iraqi probe at Saudi-Kuwait border.

Day 22: Wednesday, Feb. 6 U.S. F-15 fighters shoot down four Iraqi jets as they try to join 120 Iraqi aircraft that have been flown to Iran. Day 23: Thursday, Feb. 7 President Bush’s top two war advisers – Defense Secretary Dick Cheney and Joint Chiefs Chairman Colin Powell – leave for gulf to assess war. Battleship Wisconsin joins Missouri in firing huge 16-inch guns at sites in Kuwait – first combat firing for Wisconsin since Korean War. Day 24: Friday, Feb. 8 Defense Secretary Dick Cheney, en route to Saudi Arabia, gives strongest indication to date ground war is coming. Open question: when. Day 25: Saturday, Feb. 9 Defense Secretary Dick Cheney and Joint Chiefs Chairman Colin Powell meet for more than eight hours with Desert Storm commander, Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, other military leaders. Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev warns that military operations in Persian Gulf war threaten to exceed U.N. mandate; he says he’s sending envoy to Baghdad for talks with Saddam Hussein. Day 26: Sunday, Feb.

10 Saddam Hussein addresses his nation for first time since three days after war started, pledging victory and praising “steadfastness, faith and light in the chests of Iraqis.” Day 27: Monday, Feb. 11 President Bush, after meeting with top two military advisers, says alliance is in no hurry to begin ground war. News reports in Egypt say Iraq’s government estimates privately that more than 15,000 Iraqi troops have been killed. Day 28: Tuesday, Feb. 12 Allied forces open combined land-sea-air barrage against Iraqis in Kuwait – largest battlefield action to date. Officials say cost of fighting effects of oil slick lapping at Saudi Arabia’s coast will be $1 billion over next six months. Day 29: Wednesday, Feb. 13 U.S. Stealth fighters drop two bombs on fortified underground facility in Baghdad. Iraqi officials claim at least 500 civilians are killed in facility, which they describe as public bomb shelter. U.S. military officials release information they say proves underground facility was military command center. Day 30: Thursday, Feb.

14 Pentagon says allied planes have destroyed at least 1,300 of Iraq’s 4,280 tanks, 800 of 2,870 armored vehicles and 1,100 of 3,110 artillery pieces. United Nations Security Council meets in closed session to discuss war. Day 31: Friday, Feb. 15 Iraq says it is prepared to withdraw from Kuwait, but adds conditions, including Israeli pullout from occupied Arab territories, forgiveness of Iraqi debts and allied payment of costs of rebuilding Iraq. President Bush dismisses Iraqi offer as “cruel hoax.” – Allied forces continue moving supplies toward front in preparation for launch of ground war. Day 32: Saturday, Feb. 16 U.S. attack helicopters make first nighttime raids on Iraqi positions. Iraqi authorities claim 130 civilians were killed by British Tornado jet strikes. Iraq fires two Scuds at Israel, hitting southern part of country for first time; no injuries. Iraq’s ambassador to U.N., Abdul Amir al-Anbari, says Iraq will use weapons of mass destruction if U.S. bombing continues. Pentagon says Iraq deliberately staged damage of civilian areas as propaganda.

Day 33: Sunday, Feb. 17 President Bush says Iraq’s takeover of Kuwait will end “very, very soon.” U.S. and Iraqi troops clash in seven incidents along Saudi-Kuwait border; 20 Iraqis surrender to Apache helicopter fire. Iraq’s foreign minister, Tariq Aziz, arrives in Moscow for talks with Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev. He is quoted en route as saying it’s up to allies to act on Iraq’s peace proposal. U.S. military, intelligence officials estimate 15% of Iraq’s fighting forces in Kuwait area have been killed or wounded. Day 34: Monday, Feb. 18 Floating mines strike two U.S. warships in gulf. USS Tripoli and USS Princeton damaged but still operational. Air Force helicopter search team rescues U.S. pilot who parachuted from disabled plane 40 miles north of Saudi border. Day 35: Tuesday, Feb. 19 Baghdad Radio reports Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz has returned to Baghdad with Soviet peace proposal. Living tents are erected. The tent pegs are weighted with sand bags to keep them from pulling out during rain and wind storms. Tent lines are used for laundry.

(Jan 1991) President Bush says Soviet proposal falls “well short” of what’s needed to end war. Iranian newspaper cites Iraqi official as saying Iraq has suffered 20,000 dead, 60,000 wounded. U.S. Marines bombard Iraqi targets inside Kuwait with heavy artillery fire for second consecutive day. Saudi officials say gulf oil slick is smaller than originally feared – 60 million gallons, not 400 million. Day 36: Wednesday, Feb. 20 One American killed, seven wounded in fighting along Saudi border. U.S. helicopters destroy Iraqi bunker complex; up to 500 Iraqis taken prisoner. U.S. planes attack 300 Iraqi vehicles 60 miles into Kuwait, destroying 28 tanks. Baghdad Radio says Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz will travel to Moscow “soon” with Saddam Hussein’s reply to Soviet peace proposal. Allied commander Norman Schwarzkopf is quoted as saying Iraq’s military is on “verge of collapse.” U.S. officials want Iraq to announce specific timetable for withdrawing from Kuwait as condition for peace settlement. Day 37: Thursday, Feb.

21 Soviet spokesman Vitaly Ignatenko announces Iraq, Soviet Union have agreed on plan that could lead to Iraqi withdrawal. Saddam Hussein declares Iraq remains ready to fight ground war. Defense Secretary Dick Cheney says allies are preparing “one of the largest land assaults of modern times.” Seven U.S. soldiers killed in helicopter crash – war’s deadliest non- combat accident to date. Day 38: Friday, Feb. 22 President Bush rejects Soviet peace plan, deplores Iraq’s “scorched- earth” destruction of Kuwaiti oil fields. He demands Iraq begin withdrawal from Kuwait by noon Feb. 23 to avoid ground war. Iraqi information official brands U.S. position “shameful ultimatum.” Soviet Union announces eight-point withdrawal plan. Iraq sets ablaze one-sixth of Kuwait’s 950 oil wells. Day 39: Saturday, Feb. 23 Allies’ ground offensive begins at 8 p.m. EST (4 a.m. Feb. 24 Saudi time). Defense Secretary Dick Cheney halts news briefings on war. At 10:02 p.m.

EST, President Bush tells nation, “The liberation of Kuwait has entered the final phase.” Bush authorizes commander Norman Schwarzkopf to “use all forces available, including ground forces, to expel the Iraqi army from Kuwait.” U.S. officials say Iraqi soldiers are rounding up Kuwaitis to torture, execute. At least 200 oil wells and facilities are ablaze in Kuwait. Day 40: Sunday, Feb. 24 Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf hails first day of allied ground offensive as “dramatic success.” Allied casualties are very light; more than 5,500 Iraqis are captured. Saddam Hussein urges troops to kill “with all your might” in radio speech. More than 300 attack and supply helicopters strike more than 50 miles into Iraq, largest such assault in military history. Queen Elizabeth II, in first wartime broadcast of 39-year reign, tells her country she has prayed for victory. Iraq fires two Scud missiles into Israel; no injuries. Day 41: Saturday, Feb. 25 Baghdad Radio reports Saddam Hussein has ordered troops to withdraw from Kuwait in accordance with Soviet peace proposal.

Says White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater: “The war goes on.” On Kuwait’s Independence Day, allied forces are reported on outskirts of Kuwait City, poised to liberate capital as more reports surface of Iraqi killings of civilians and torching of buildings. Iraqi Scud missile hits barracks in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. Eventual toll: 28 U.S. soldiers killed, 90 wounded. U.S. officials report four U.S. soldiers killed, 21 wounded in first two days of allied ground assault; nearly 20,000 Iraqis taken prisoner; 270 tanks destroyed. Iraqi-launched Silkworm anti-ship missile shot down by allied warships. Day 42: Tuesday, Feb. 26 Brig. Gen. Richard Neal in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, says Iraqi forces are in “full retreat” with allied forces pursuing; Iraqi POWs number 30,000-plus, number to climb to 63,000. Saddam Hussein announces Iraqi occupation forces will withdraw completely. Residents of Kuwait City celebrate end to occupation. Resistance groups set up headquarters to control city. U.S. Marine in Kuwait City says U.S.

Embassy is back under U.S. control. Day 43: Wednesday, Feb. 28 Kuwaiti troops raise emirate’s flag in Kuwait City. President Bush declares suspension of offensive combat and lays out conditions for permanent cease-fire

Question: The first 'Gulf War' took place in which year?
Answer: 1991