Persian Gulf War
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The Persian Gulf War started on August 2, 1990 when Saddam Hussein ordered the invasion and occupation of Kuwait on the allegations that they were siphoning crude oil from Iraqi land. The United States got involved when other nations in the Persian Gulf area turned to the United Nations (UN) for support against Iraq. On August 3, the United Nations Security Council called for Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait. However, Kuwait was annexed into Iraq five days later and King Fahd of Saudi Arabia called upon the United States for military support. The United States delivered.
Air Force fighter planes were delivered to Saudi Arabia along with troops sent from the North-Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and other Arab countries. This was to build up for Operation Desert Storm. On November 29, 1990, the UN authorized for use of "all necessary means" against Iraq if they did not withdraw from Kuwait by January 15. By that date, Iraq had not withdrawn and it was the coalition's 750,000 troops versus Iraq's 300,000.
On January 17, 1991, the United States led a massive air attack on Iraq. This air attack, known as Operation Desert Storm, either destroyed the Iraqi air force or just forced them to have no action due to relentless attack from the coalition and it forced as little ground combat as possible. However, the war could not be won purely through air combat and ground combat was necessary. On February 24, Bush launched Operation Desert Sabre. This second operation was a ground attack on Iraqi forces in Kuwait from the coalition and, 3 days later, most Iraqi forces had been defeated.
The next day, Bush declared a ceasefire that would end the Persian Gulf War. Hussein accepted the peace terms that said Iraq would recognize Kuwait’s sovereignty and get rid of all its weapons of mass destruction. In all, 8,000 to 10,000 Iraqi forces were killed compared to only about 300 coalition troops.
Air Force fighter planes were delivered to Saudi Arabia along with troops sent from the North-Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and other Arab countries. This was to build up for Operation Desert Storm. On November 29, 1990, the UN authorized for use of "all necessary means" against Iraq if they did not withdraw from Kuwait by January 15. By that date, Iraq had not withdrawn and it was the coalition's 750,000 troops versus Iraq's 300,000.
On January 17, 1991, the United States led a massive air attack on Iraq. This air attack, known as Operation Desert Storm, either destroyed the Iraqi air force or just forced them to have no action due to relentless attack from the coalition and it forced as little ground combat as possible. However, the war could not be won purely through air combat and ground combat was necessary. On February 24, Bush launched Operation Desert Sabre. This second operation was a ground attack on Iraqi forces in Kuwait from the coalition and, 3 days later, most Iraqi forces had been defeated.
The next day, Bush declared a ceasefire that would end the Persian Gulf War. Hussein accepted the peace terms that said Iraq would recognize Kuwait’s sovereignty and get rid of all its weapons of mass destruction. In all, 8,000 to 10,000 Iraqi forces were killed compared to only about 300 coalition troops.