1991 Gulf War

1991 Gulf War
Conflict	1991 Gulf War
Partof	the Gulf War and the Arab–Israeli conflict
Caption	Map of the Operation Desert Storm advance.
Date	2 August 1990 – 28 February 1991
Place	Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the Persian Gulf
Result	Coalition victory
Combatant1	Coalition:, United States, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, Egypt, France, Syria, Kuwait, and 32 other nations
Combatant2	Iraq
Commander1	Coalition:, George H. W. Bush, Colin Powell, Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., King Fahd, Prince Khalid bin Sultan, Margaret Thatcher, John Major, Sir Peter de la Billière
Commander2	Iraq:, Saddam Hussein, Ali Hassan al-Majid, Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri

1991 Gulf War. This conflict, also known as Operation Desert Storm, was a major international military campaign initiated by a United Nations-authorized coalition to expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990. The war featured a massive aerial bombardment followed by a decisive ground offensive, resulting in a swift coalition victory and the liberation of Kuwait, though it left the regime of Saddam Hussein in power. The conflict had profound and lasting consequences for regional politics, global military strategy, and the geopolitics of the Middle East.

Background and causes

The immediate cause was the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on 2 August 1990, ordered by President Saddam Hussein. Underlying tensions stemmed from disputes over Rumaila oil field revenues and accusations of slant drilling, alongside Iraq's immense debt from the Iran–Iraq War. Following the invasion, the United Nations Security Council passed a series of resolutions, including United Nations Security Council Resolution 660, demanding an unconditional withdrawal. When diplomatic efforts and economic sanctions under United Nations Security Council Resolution 661 failed, the United Nations Security Council Resolution 678 authorized member states to use "all necessary means" to enforce compliance, setting a deadline of 15 January 1991. Key diplomatic efforts, such as the Helsinki Summit between George H. W. Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev, solidified international opposition to the invasion.

Course of the conflict

The coalition campaign, Operation Desert Storm, commenced on 17 January 1991 with a massive aerial and naval bombardment. Initial operations targeted Iraqi Air Force facilities, command centers in Baghdad, and Scud missile launchers. Notable air engagements included the Battle of Khafji, a brief Iraqi incursion into Saudi Arabia. The ground campaign, Operation Desert Sabre, began on 24 February, featuring a large flanking maneuver through the Saudi Arabian desert. Coalition forces, including the VII Corps (United States) and the British 1st Armoured Division, rapidly encircled and defeated Iraqi Republican Guard divisions in engagements like the Battle of Medina Ridge and the Battle of Norfolk. Hostilities concluded with a ceasefire on 28 February, following the liberation of Kuwait City.

Coalition forces and strategy

The multinational coalition was assembled and led by the United States, under the military command of CENTCOM Commander Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell. The strategy, often called the "Powell Doctrine," emphasized the use of overwhelming force. Key components included the air campaign orchestrated by United States Air Force General Chuck Horner, and the ground offensive plan developed by generals like Frederick Franks Jr.. Forces from nations including the United Kingdom's British Army, France's French Air Force, and Arab contingents like the Syrian Arab Army and Egyptian Army played crucial roles. Naval power was projected by assets such as the USS Wisconsin (BB-64) in the Persian Gulf.

Iraqi forces and strategy

Iraq's military, the world's fourth-largest at the time, was commanded by Saddam Hussein and Defense Minister Ali Hassan al-Majid. Their strategy relied on static defensive positions along the Saudi Arabia–Kuwait border, known as the Saddam Line, and the threat of drawing Israel into the conflict via Scud missile attacks, potentially fracturing the Arab coalition. The elite Iraqi Republican Guard was held in reserve. However, the strategy failed due to air supremacy achieved by the United States Air Force and Royal Air Force, which decimated supply lines and morale, and the coalition's unexpected ground assault through the western desert.

Aftermath and consequences

The immediate aftermath saw the establishment of no-fly zones over northern and southern Iraq by the United States, United Kingdom, and France to protect Kurdish and Shiite populations. The war resulted in significant environmental damage from the Kuwaiti oil fires and the Gulf War oil spill. Iraq was subjected to stringent weapons inspections and economic sanctions. The conflict solidified the United States as the predominant military power in the Middle East, leading to a permanent increased presence in the region, particularly in Saudi Arabia, which later became a point of contention for groups like al-Qaeda.

Legacy and historical assessment

The war is viewed as a decisive tactical victory but a strategic paradox, as it left Saddam Hussein in power, leading to the subsequent Iraq War in 2003. It demonstrated the revolutionary impact of precision-guided munitions, stealth technology as showcased by the F-117 Nighthawk, and the CNN effect on real-time news coverage. The health issues suffered by veterans, known as Gulf War syndrome, remain a subject of medical and political inquiry. The conflict reshaped alliances, cementing the United States–Saudi Arabia relationship and influencing later interventions in the Balkans and the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021). It is extensively documented in works like the U.S. Defense Department's official history and analyses by scholars such as Lawrence Freedman and Efraim Karsh.

Category:Gulf War Category:Wars involving Iraq Category:1990s conflicts