The Gulf War

Louis PenafielVincent BagnaraKristoffer AverionTayler Tovar-Allen

Youtube Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHzVOV3ApWg&feature=youtu.be

Background

• US led coalition

• Iraq was first conflict to take place in new international order after Cold War

• Feb, 1990: Saddam demanded money from Kuwait and UAE

• July, 1990: He moved the Republican Guard to the border with Kuwait

Background (cont’d)

• July, 1990: Meets with US ambassador Glaspie and reasserts lack of intention to invade Kuwaito Iraqi and Kuwaiti delegates meet in Jeddah with no

agreement

• Iraq invades Kuwait, UN Resolution 660 condemns Iraq’s invasion.

Type of War

US

• Limited war and limited invasion

• Fought without having to totally pay for the waro financed by all coalition allies

• stealth technology

Type of War (cont’d)

Iraq

• US believed it was limited invasiono thought to be going for oil or northern land of country

• Turned into a whole occupation of Kuwait

Stronger & Weaker sides

• The belligerents consisted of a coalition of forces of Kuwait, United States, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, France, Syria, Morocco, Qatar, Oman, Pakistan, Canada, Argentina, Spain, Italyo The stronger side

• The weaker side consisted of Iraq.o with the little enforcements established in their new republic in Kuwait.

Military Causes (New Technology)

• Superior technology had enabled the coalition to ensure victory at every turn.

• It was obvious in Operation Desert Storm just how the Iraqis were unequipped and how overwhelming the U.S. forces were in terms of military power.

• The Iraqi forces were held powerless by the might of the new technologies of the United States forces.

• The Iraqis still had the scud missiles given to them by the Soviet Union which would prove useful but nonetheless powerless to the Coalition forces.

Major battles

• Battle of Khafji o First Major Land battle of gulf war o Took place near Khafji, Saudi Arabiao 43 dead 52 wounded 2 captured for UN forces o 60-300 dead 400 Captured for the Iraqis

• Highway of Deatho Highway 80o Coalition forces attacked Iraqi forces retreating from Kuwaito between 1400-2000 vehicles hit or abandoned on the highway o The next day Bush 41 called for an end to the hostilities

Course of war

• The war began as a UN action against the iraqi invasion and annexation of kuwait

• Operation desert shield begins as “purely defensive” to prevent invasion of Saudi Arabia

• When diplomacy failed Operation Desert storm began to force iraqis from Kuwait

• Operation Desert storm began with use of air strikes against iraqis

• on 2/24/1991 A ground invasion begins to force iraqis out of kuwait

• 3/3/1991 Iraqis accept terms of ceasefire and end hostilities

Who won?

• The UN forces were successful in forcing out the iraqis from Kuwait

• They achieved the victory quickly

• Victory ended on UN terms

• Overall it was a UN victory

Advantages and Disadvantages of Belligerents (Iraq)

Advantages: Home front

SCUDs

Disadvantages: Inferior technology and skillsAgainst the United

Nations coalition

Political Ramifications for Superpowers and UN

- Kuwait independent

- Resolution No. 687 adopted

-Syria was able to defeat uprisings in Lebanon

- Yemeni guest workers were expelled from Saudi Arabia, hurting the economy and creating tensions between them.