Persian Gulf War Overview

Quick Facts

• Also called: Gulf War
• Date: January 16, 1991 - February 28, 1991

Triggering Incident

• The conflict was triggered by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990.
• Iraq's leader, Saddam Hussein, aimed to acquire Kuwait's oil reserves, cancel Iraq's debt to Kuwait, and expand Iraqi power.

Key Operations

Operation Desert Storm

• Coalition military campaign to liberate Kuwait.
• Comprised of a two-part operation: an air offensive followed by a ground invasion.
• Aimed to establish air supremacy, destroy strategic targets, and degrade Iraqi ground forces.

Operation Desert Sabre

• Coalition ground offensive from February 24-28, 1991.
• Involved a two-pronged maneuver to envelop and destroy Iraqi forces.
• Resulted in quick coalition victory and Saddam accepting a ceasefire on February 28.

International Response

• UN Security Council Resolution 661: imposed trade ban with Iraq.
• Arab League condemned the invasion, with 12 of 21 countries endorsing the UN resolution.
• The U.S. led coalition forces in Operation Desert Shield to protect Saudi Arabia and prepare for Operation Desert Storm.

Military Details

• Iraqi forces included 950,000 personnel, 5,500 main battle tanks, and an experienced air force.
• Coalition forces included 240,000 U.S. troops, with significant contributions from the UK, Egypt, France, and others.

Casualties and Damages

• Iraqi military estimates: 180,000 - 630,000 troops, 8,000 - 50,000 deaths.
• Allied casualties: 147 U.S., 47 British killed in action.
• Environmental damage from Kuwait's oil fires, which created a regional ecological disaster.

Legacy

• Gulf War Syndrome: Affected veterans with symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, and memory loss.
• Aftermath: Iraq was required to recognize Kuwait’s sovereignty and eliminate weapons of mass destruction.
• Continued tensions led to the Iraq War in 2003, following Iraq’s non-compliance with disarmament.

Political and Strategic Developments

• The conflict set precedents for U.S. military involvement and the use of force in the post-Cold War era.
• The Powell Doctrine emerged, emphasizing overwhelming force and clear exit strategies to avoid "mission creep."

Environmental and Humanitarian Impact

• Over 700 Kuwaiti oil wells set on fire by retreating Iraqi forces, leading to severe air pollution and a toxic environment.