Operation Desert Storm

Operation Desert Storm
source
Conflict	Operation Desert Storm
Partof	the Gulf War
Date	17 January 1991 – 28 February 1991
Place	Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Persian Gulf
Result	Coalition victory
Combatant1	Coalition:, United States, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, France, Egypt, Syria, and 32 others
Combatant2	Iraq
Commander1	Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., Colin Powell, Peter de la Billière, Khalid bin Sultan
Commander2	Saddam Hussein, Ali Hassan al-Majid, Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri

Operation Desert Storm. It was the combat phase of the Gulf War, a decisive international response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait ordered by President Saddam Hussein. Led primarily by the United States under the authorization of the United Nations Security Council, a broad coalition of 35 nations launched a massive air campaign followed by a swift ground assault to liberate Kuwait. The conflict showcased advanced military technology and resulted in a decisive victory for coalition forces, though it left the Iraqi regime in power.

Background and causes

The immediate catalyst was the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on 2 August 1990, which Saddam Hussein justified with historical claims and disputes over oil production and debt from the recent Iran–Iraq War. The invasion threatened global oil supplies and regional stability, prompting immediate condemnation from the United Nations and the Arab League. U.S. President George H. W. Bush formed an international coalition and deployed forces to Saudi Arabia in Operation Desert Shield, while the United Nations Security Council passed a series of resolutions, culminating in United Nations Security Council Resolution 678, which authorized the use of force. Diplomatic efforts, including meetings in Geneva and Moscow, failed to secure an Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait City by the 15 January 1991 deadline.

Coalition forces and strategy

The coalition, assembled by President George H. W. Bush and Secretary of State James Baker, included key Arab states like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Syria, alongside major Western powers such as the United Kingdom, France, and Canada. Overall command fell to U.S. General Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., with air operations directed by General Chuck Horner and strategic guidance from Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell. The strategy, often called the "Left Hook," involved a prolonged air campaign to achieve air superiority and degrade the Iraqi Army and Republican Guard, followed by a massive, rapid ground offensive. Forces were staged from bases across Saudi Arabia and from naval groups in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea.

Major military operations

The operation commenced on 17 January 1991 with a devastating air campaign targeting Baghdad, command centers, Scud missile sites, and infrastructure. Early actions included the Battle of Khafji, a minor Iraqi incursion into Saudi Arabia. The air war expanded to target frontline forces in the Kuwaiti theater of operations. The ground campaign, Operation Desert Sabre, began on 24 February, with the U.S. VII Corps and XVIII Airborne Corps executing the wide flanking maneuver. Key engagements included the Battle of 73 Easting and the Battle of Medina Ridge, which decimated Iraqi armor. Coalition forces rapidly liberated Kuwait City and advanced into southern Iraq, leading to a ceasefire on 28 February.

Aftermath and consequences

The ceasefire was formalized at Safwan Airfield, with Iraq accepting the terms of United Nations Security Council Resolution 687, which mandated disarmament, reparations, and recognition of the new Kuwait–Iraq border. The conflict resulted in significant loss of life among Iraqi military and civilians, including casualties from the Highway of Death. Environmental damage was severe due to the Gulf War oil spill and oil well fires. Domestically, the war triggered Shia and Kurdish uprisings, which were brutally suppressed by the Republican Guard, leading to the establishment of Iraqi no-fly zones by the U.S., U.K., and France.

Legacy and historical significance

It is widely studied for its demonstration of stealth technology as seen in the F-117 Nighthawk, the use of precision-guided munitions, and the effective integration of space-based assets for GPS and intelligence. The conflict solidified the post-Cold War role of the United States as the sole global superpower and validated the efficacy of multinational coalitions under United Nations auspices. However, it left the strategic situation unresolved, contributing to over a decade of sanctions and inspections by the United Nations Special Commission, and setting the conditions for the subsequent Iraq War in 2003. The experience also influenced U.S. military doctrine, encapsulated in the Powell Doctrine.

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