Operation Desert Sabre

Operation Desert Sabre. It was the major ground offensive component of the Gulf War, launched after a sustained aerial campaign known as Operation Desert Storm. The operation involved a massive, rapid armoured thrust by international Coalition forces into Kuwait and Southern Iraq, decisively defeating the Iraqi Army in just 100 hours of combat. Its successful execution led to the liberation of Kuwait City and the forced withdrawal of Saddam Hussein's forces, cementing the military outcome of the conflict.

Background and planning

The planning for the ground offensive was conducted primarily by the United States Central Command under General Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., following the strategic success of the preceding air campaign. Military planners sought to avoid a costly frontal assault on heavily fortified Iraqi defenses in Kuwait, which included obstacles like the Saddam Line of trenches and fortifications. Instead, the strategy, influenced by historical concepts like the Battle of Cannae, involved a great "Left Hook" maneuver. This plan called for a major western flanking movement by U.S. VII Corps and XVIII Airborne Corps from Saudi Arabia into the undefended desert of Southern Iraq, to envelop and destroy the elite Republican Guard. Concurrently, Arab coalition forces, including those from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Syria, would launch a direct assault into Kuwait to fix Iraqi forces.

Order of battle and initial movements

The Coalition ground forces comprised a multinational array under the operational control of CENTCOM. The main effort was the western envelopment force, consisting of the heavy U.S. VII Corps with divisions like the 1st Armored Division and the 3rd Armored Division, and the XVIII Airborne Corps with the 24th Infantry Division and the 101st Airborne Division. The United Kingdom contributed the 1st (United Kingdom) Armoured Division, which was attached to VII Corps. The Arab coalition forces, organized as Joint Forces Command North, included the Egyptian Third Army and the Syrian 9th Armoured Division. The initial movement began on 24 February 1991, with XVIII Airborne Corps launching a deep thrust into Iraq to establish blocking positions near the Euphrates River, while VII Corps advanced north to engage the Republican Guard.

The ground campaign

The campaign commenced with Joint Forces Command North and U.S. Marine forces breaching the Iraqi defenses in Kuwait on 24 February, encountering initial resistance at the Battle of Khafji and along the Saddam Line. The U.S. 1st Infantry Division conducted a massive breach operation for VII Corps. The decisive actions occurred in Southern Iraq, where Coalition armour engaged Iraqi forces in several major battles. The Battle of 73 Easting was a fierce tank engagement fought by the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment. The Battle of Medina Ridge saw the destruction of the Republican Guard's Medina Division. Simultaneously, the Battle of Norfolk involved multiple U.S. Army divisions. The 1st (United Kingdom) Armoured Division destroyed Iraqi formations in the Battle of Phase Line Bullet. By 27 February, Kuwait City was liberated, with Arab coalition forces and the Free Kuwaiti Forces entering the capital.

Aftermath and significance

The swift and overwhelming victory led President George H. W. Bush to declare a cessation of hostilities on 28 February 1991. The operation resulted in the near-total destruction of the Iraqi Army in the Kuwaiti Theater of Operations, with tens of thousands of prisoners taken, including at the Highway of Death. Politically, it achieved the stated United Nations objective of restoring the sovereign government of Kuwait. Militarily, it showcased the dominance of new technologies like the M1 Abrams tank and the effectiveness of AirLand Battle doctrine. The war concluded with the signing of the Ceasefire Agreement at Safwan Airfield, establishing terms that would lead to continued no-fly zones and weapons inspections. The conflict's conclusion, however, left Saddam Hussein in power, setting conditions for future conflicts like the Iraq War.

Category:Gulf War Category:Military operations of the Gulf War Category:1991 in Iraq Category:1991 in Kuwait