Iraq is often been in conflict with Kuwait, there have been tensions over boarder claims and after the Iran Iraq war, disputes over oil policy. Talks between the two countries broke down and on August 2, 1990, Iraq leader Saddam Hussein ordered the invasion of Kuwait. A multi national coalition was organized under the leadership of President George Bush, 32 nations contributed military support while another 12 contributed other assistance. The United Nations was an important link in the coalition, on November 29, 1990 it issued an ultimatum authorizing the coalition to use any means necessary to force Iraq from Kuwait if it did not withdraw by January 15, 1991.
As the deadline approached, both sides assembled formidable forces for both major air and land battle. The Iraq army of 545,000 was supported by an arsenal of 4,500 tanks and 700 combat aircraft but coalition forces outnumbered them with 680,000 troops and overwhelming naval and air superiority. 100 ships and 1,800 aircraft, the sizable US contingent of 415,000 included 27,000 women.
For the coalition operation codenamed desert storm, the first mission was to gain control of the air. On January 16 a combined attack of cruise missiles and bombing sorties were aimed at Iraq air bases, command centers and missile launchers. Iraq retaliated by launching scud missiles against cities in Israel and Saudi Arabia. The worst attack happened in Saudi Arabia where parts of the scud hit an American barracks. By January 23 a week after the opening attack, the coalition achieved air superiority. Another ultimatum was issued. Leave Kuwait by February 23 or risk a ground war.
The coalition prepared for the attack but the Iraq’s air force grounded and unable to patrol and the coalitions amphibious maneuvers in the gulf diverting attention, General Norman orchestrated a massive western deployment along the Arabian boarder to completely outflank Iraq positions. Perhaps as a test of coalition troops, the Iraq’s attacked the Saudi town on January 30 but could only hold it for 30 hours.
February 23 came and then on the 24 the main offensive began, so fierce that it would last only 100 hours. Armored units quickly penetrated Iraq and wheeled toward Kuwait as other armored units pushed from the south. Iraq forces were quickly surrounded and fled in disorder. On February 27, Bush declared a seize fire. Saddam Hussein still remained in power with enough money left to crush two rebellions that occurs in the north and in the south. Though the United States had encouraged Iraq to depose Hussein, the coalition did not directly support the insurrections but instead established no fly zones to protect the rebels from air attack but this action was not enough and both rebellions failed.
For Iraq the gulf was devastating with between 25,000 and 100,000 troops killed.
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