Crisis in the Desert: The Gulf War and Its Aftermath

The Gulf War, also known as Operation Desert Storm, was a conflict between Iraq and a coalition of 35 countries led by the United States. The war began on August 2, 1990, when Iraq invaded Kuwait. The coalition launched an air campaign against Iraq on January 17, 1991, and a ground offensive began on February 24. The war ended with Iraq's defeat and the liberation of Kuwait on February 28, 1991.

Causes of the War

The immediate cause of the war was Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. However, the roots of the conflict go back much further. In the 1980s, Iraq and Iran were engaged in a bloody war. Iraq was supported by the United States and other Western powers, while Iran was supported by the Soviet Union. The war ended in a stalemate in 1988, but Iraq was left with a large debt and a weakened military.

Desert Storm (Crisis in the Desert Book 3)

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In August 1990, Iraq claimed that Kuwait was stealing oil from its fields. Iraq also accused Kuwait of refusing to forgive its debts from the Iran-Iraq War. On August 2, 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait. The Kuwaiti government fled into exile in Saudi Arabia.

The Coalition

The United States quickly condemned Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and began assembling a coalition to oppose Iraq. The coalition included 35 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria, and the United Kingdom. The United States provided the largest contingent of troops, with over 500,000 troops deployed to the Persian Gulf.

The Air Campaign

The coalition launched an air campaign against Iraq on January 17, 1991. The air campaign lasted 43 days and involved over 100,000 sorties. The coalition's air forces targeted Iraqi military installations, including airfields, command centers, and weapons factories. The air campaign also targeted Iraqi troops in the field.

The Ground Offensive

The ground offensive began on February 24, 1991. The coalition's ground forces, led by the United States, entered Iraq from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The coalition forces quickly overwhelmed Iraqi defenses and pushed deep into Iraq.

The Iraqi army was no match for the coalition forces. The Iraqi army was poorly equipped and trained, and it had been weakened by the air campaign. The coalition forces also enjoyed overwhelming air superiority.

The Ceasefire

On February 28, 1991, Iraq agreed to a ceasefire. The ceasefire ended the war and the coalition forces began to withdraw from Iraq.

The Aftermath of the War

The Gulf War was a major turning point in the history of the Middle East. The war ended Iraq's occupation of Kuwait and it led to the establishment of a new security order in the Persian Gulf.

However, the war also had a number of negative consequences. The war caused massive damage to Iraq's infrastructure and it led to the deaths of thousands of Iraqi civilians. The war also destabilized the region and it contributed to the rise of sectarian violence in Iraq.

The Gulf War was a complex and controversial conflict. The war had a significant impact on the Middle East and it continues to be a source of debate today.

References

• The Persian Gulf War - Britannica
• Gulf War - History.com
• Frontline: The Gulf War - PBS
• Gulf War: 25 years on - BBC News

Desert Storm (Crisis in the Desert Book 3)

by Matt Jackson

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2634 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	399 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE