What Happened in the Persian Gulf War? | History

Summary

The Persian Gulf War in 1990-1991 saw Saddam Hussein's Iraq invade Kuwait, triggering a swift military response led by the United States and a coalition of allies. The war culminated in Iraq's defeat and the liberation of Kuwait, with Operation Desert Storm bombing Iraq's military infrastructure. Despite this victory, the decision not to remove Saddam Hussein led to continued unrest, including uprisings within Iraq. The war set the stage for the 2003 invasion of Iraq, where Saddam was eventually captured and executed. The conflict remains pivotal in shaping Middle Eastern geopolitics.

Takeaways

• 😀 Saddam Hussein ruled Iraq with an iron fist from 1979, often recklessly.
• 😀 In 1990, Saddam invaded Kuwait, seeking control of its vast oil reserves.
• 😀 Saddam justified the invasion by falsely claiming that Kuwait historically belonged to Iraq.
• 😀 The United Nations condemned the invasion, giving Saddam until January 15, 1991, to withdraw.
• 😀 The U.S. led a broad coalition, including the U.K., France, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, to combat Iraq.
• 😀 The first phase of the war, Operation Desert Shield, involved deploying U.S. forces to Saudi Arabia.
• 😀 Operation Desert Storm, the bombing campaign, began on January 17, 1991, targeting Iraqi infrastructure.
• 😀 The ground offensive, Operation Desert Sabre, led to the retaking of Kuwait in just four days.
• 😀 The coalition forces lost only 292 soldiers, while Iraq lost approximately 30,000 soldiers.
• 😀 Despite the victory, President George H.W. Bush chose not to remove Saddam from power, avoiding regime change.

Q & A

What was Saddam Hussein's justification for invading Kuwait in 1990?

Saddam Hussein claimed that Kuwait originally belonged to Iraq and had been unfairly separated by the League of Nations. He sought to acquire Kuwait’s vast oil reserves.

How did the international community respond to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait?

The international community, led by the United States, strongly condemned the invasion. The United Nations Security Council declared that military force would be used unless Iraq withdrew by January 15, 1991.

What were the key operations involved in the Gulf War?

The Gulf War involved several key operations: Operation Desert Shield (the deployment of troops to Saudi Arabia), Operation Desert Storm (the bombing campaign against Iraq), and Operation Desert Sabre (the ground offensive to retake Kuwait).

What role did the United States and its allies play in the Gulf War?

The United States, along with a coalition of forces including the United Kingdom, France, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, played a central role in the military response, carrying out air strikes and ground operations to defeat Iraq and liberate Kuwait.

What was the outcome of the Gulf War for Iraq?

Iraq lost approximately 30,000 soldiers, while the coalition forces only lost 292 soldiers. The war resulted in the liberation of Kuwait, but Saddam Hussein’s regime remained intact.

Why did President George H.W. Bush decide not to depose Saddam Hussein after the war?

President Bush feared that removing Saddam Hussein could lead to instability in the region and might not be supported by America’s allies.

What happened in Iraq after the Gulf War?

After the war, uprisings by Kurdish and Shiite groups occurred, but Saddam Hussein brutally suppressed them. He was also accused of using chemical weapons against his own people.

What role did the United Nations play in monitoring Saddam Hussein’s actions after the Gulf War?

The UN required Saddam to allow weapons inspections, but he blocked inspectors in 1997, which contributed to the United States’ decision to pursue regime change in Iraq.

How did the Gulf War set the stage for the 2003 invasion of Iraq?

The Gulf War left Saddam Hussein in power, but his refusal to comply with UN inspections and the continued threat he posed to the region eventually led to the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003.

What was the ultimate fate of Saddam Hussein after the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003?

Saddam Hussein was captured by U.S. forces, tried, convicted, and executed by the new Iraqi government in 2006.