- The Gulf War (Aug 28, 1990-Feb 28, 1991) was a conflict between Iraq and a coalition force of approximately 30 nations led by the United States and mandated by the United Nations in order to liberate the nation of Kuwait.
- The conflict is known by numerous alternative names such as Gulf War, Persian Gulf War, War in the Gulf, 1990 Gulf War, Gulf War Sr., or First Gulf War, Liberation of Kuwait, War of Kuwait, and Mother of Battles.
- The war began with the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990, following Iraqi contentions that Kuwait was illegally slant-drilling petroleum across Iraq’s border.
- The invasion was met with immediate economic sanctions by the United Nations against Iraq.
- Iraq also launched SS-1 Scud missiles against targets in Saudi Arabia and Israel.
- Although Saddam Hussein, the Iraq's President, had been aided by the West during the Iran-Iraq War, his dictatorial regime, belligerence toward Israel, and human rights violations, increasingly led the U.S. and allies to distance themselves from Iraq.
- On January 12, 1991, the United States Congress authorized the use of military force to drive Iraq out of Kuwait.
- President Bush sent 430,000 troops to Saudi Arabia to lead the U.N.-sponsored coalition and protect that country from an attack by Iraq.
- The U.N. Security Council set January 15, 1991 deadline for Iraq to withdraw unconditionally from Kuwait. The next day, Congress gave approval for a huge air attack against military targets in Iraq and Kuwait.
- A ground war followed. U.S. and coalition forces were too much for Iraq President Saddam Hussein and his troops and the attack ended in four days.
- Iraq withdrew from Kuwait on February 28, 1991 though not before setting fire to more than 500 Kuwaiti oil wells.
- Official cease-fire declared, 1991; Iraq agreed to U.N. peace terms, and Saddam Hussein remained in power.
- The Gulf War (Aug 28, 1990-Feb 28, 1991) was a conflict between Iraq and a coalition force of approximately 30 nations led by the United States and mandated by the United Nations in order to liberate the nation of Kuwait.
- The conflict is known by numerous alternative names such as Gulf War, Persian Gulf War, War in the Gulf, 1990 Gulf War, Gulf War Sr., or First Gulf War, Liberation of Kuwait, War of Kuwait, and Mother of Battles.
- The war began with the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990, following Iraqi contentions that Kuwait was illegally slant-drilling petroleum across Iraq’s border.
- The invasion was met with immediate economic sanctions by the United Nations against Iraq.
- Iraq also launched SS-1 Scud missiles against targets in Saudi Arabia and Israel.
- Although Saddam Hussein, the Iraq's President, had been aided by the West during the Iran-Iraq War, his dictatorial regime, belligerence toward Israel, and human rights violations, increasingly led the U.S. and allies to distance themselves from Iraq.
- On January 12, 1991, the United States Congress authorized the use of military force to drive Iraq out of Kuwait.
- President Bush sent 430,000 troops to Saudi Arabia to lead the U.N.-sponsored coalition and protect that country from an attack by Iraq.
- The U.N. Security Council set January 15, 1991 deadline for Iraq to withdraw unconditionally from Kuwait. The next day, Congress gave approval for a huge air attack against military targets in Iraq and Kuwait.
- A ground war followed. U.S. and coalition forces were too much for Iraq President Saddam Hussein and his troops and the attack ended in four days.
- Iraq withdrew from Kuwait on February 28, 1991 though not before setting fire to more than 500 Kuwaiti oil wells.
- Official cease-fire declared, 1991; Iraq agreed to U.N. peace terms, and Saddam Hussein remained in power.