Timeline of the Gulf War

Timeline of the Gulf War

By Jayda Burr

The Gulf War

July 16, 1979

Saddam Hussein comes to power

August 5, 1990

U.S. declares war on Iraq

November 29, 1990

United Nations resolution 678

August 2, 1990

Iraq invades kuwait

August 7, 1990

Operation Desert Shield

In 1797, Ahmed Bakr resigned from his role as president of Iraq. A man named Saddam Hussein then took over and became the 5th president of Iraq. Although the public did not like him, he used fear and violence to maintain his role. His goal as a leader was to control the whole Middle East/Persian Gulf.

On August 2, 1990, Saddam Hussein led an invasion of Kuwait's rich oil reserves. The goal of the invasion was to take over the oil reserves, cancel the debt Iraq owed Kuwait, and expand Iraqi power in the Middle East.

On August 5, 1990, the U.S. president at the time, George H.W. Bush, gave a speech in which he declared war on Iraq. Bush could not stand the aggression towards Kuwait and the possibility of Saddam taking over the Middle East. Saddam taking charge of the oil reserves also would cause the price of oil to increase which would negatively affect the U.S. economy.

Operation Desert Shield started in August of 1990. The goal of this operation was to prepare the American soldiers for battle and to protect Saudia Arabia and Kuwait. On August 7th, the American air force arrived in Saudia Arabia then on August 8th, the ground forces arrived.

On November 29, 1990, United Nations tries to get Iraq out of Kuwait before sending American troops. U.N. issued "Resolution 678" which states that if Iraq does not leave Kuwait by January 15th, 1991, they will be forced out by American troops and their allies.

The Gulf War

January 17, 1991

Operation Desert Storm

February 24, 1991

Operation Desert Sabre

June 13, 1991

Last U.S. troop return to the states

February 19, 1991

Oil well fires

February 28, 1991

Iraq announces end of war

Works Cited

Following the United Nations deadline of January 15th, January 17, 1991, Operation Desert Storm commences. Operation Desert Storm was a campaign of air and missile attacks on Iraqi troops in Iraq and Kuwait. The targets were primarily Iraqi aircraft, communication lines, bridges, roads, and oil refineries. This campaign lasted around one month.

On February 19, 1991, Iraqi troops set fire to over 600 oil wells in Kuwait. This was one of the last major destruction from Iraq before they decided to leave Kuwait. The gas emitted from these oil wells, however, caused serious health issues for many soldiers. Some of these symptoms included muscle pain, fatigue, and cognitive problems. It took over a decade to clean up and fully recover from the oil fires.

On February 24, 1991, the U.S. and its allies begin a ground offensive, known as Operation Desert Sabre. Troops that were currently based in Saudia Arabia entered Kuwait and Iraq and ultimately defeated the Iraqi troops. Some U.S. troops also went into southern Iraq and attacked an armored reserve.

Operation Desert Sabre ultimately caused Iraq to leave Kuwait on February 28, 1991. President Bush declared a ceasefire, Saddam Hussein remained in power, and Hussein agreed to the United Nations resolution that includes recognizing Kuwait's sovereignty, and getting rid of any Weapons of Mass Destruction they may have.

The last U.S. troops arrive back in the U.S. on June 13th, 1991. However, in the next few years, U.S. and British aircraft patrolled Iraqi skies. Although the U.S. claimed its role in the Gulf War was to free Kuwait and prevent possible future attacks, it is clear the U.S. had major problems with Saddam Hussein being in power. Ultimately this rivalry led to another war between Iraq and the U.S. in 2003.

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