Gulf War Definition and Overview

Timeline

2 August 1990
The Gulf War, often called the First Gulf War or Operation Desert Storm, began with Iraq's invasion of Kuwait on under Saddam Hussein, driven by disputes ov…
29 November 1990
Resolution 678 () authorized member states to use "all necessary means" to enforce prior resolutions if Iraq did not withdraw by 15 January 1991 — a landmark…
15 January 1991
Resolution 678 (29 November 1990) authorized member states to use "all necessary means" to enforce prior resolutions if Iraq did not withdraw by — a landmar…
17 January 1991
The air campaign of Operation Desert Storm began on , followed by a ground offensive on 24 February.
28 February 1991
Coalition forces liberated Kuwait City within four days, and President Bush declared a ceasefire on .
3 April 1991
Iraq accepted ceasefire terms under Resolution 687 (), which imposed disarmament obligations, established the UN Special Commission (UNSCOM) to verify the el…

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In November 1990, UN Security Council Resolution 678 authorized member states to use "all necessary means" to eject Iraqi forces from Kuwait, setting a 15 January 1991 deadline.

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Timeline

2 August 1990

The Gulf War, often called the First Gulf War or Operation Desert Storm, began with Iraq's invasion of Kuwait on under Saddam Hussein, driven by disputes ov…

29 November 1990

Resolution 678 () authorized member states to use "all necessary means" to enforce prior resolutions if Iraq did not withdraw by 15 January 1991 — a landmark…

15 January 1991

Resolution 678 (29 November 1990) authorized member states to use "all necessary means" to enforce prior resolutions if Iraq did not withdraw by — a landmar…

17 January 1991

The air campaign of Operation Desert Storm began on , followed by a ground offensive on 24 February.

28 February 1991

Coalition forces liberated Kuwait City within four days, and President Bush declared a ceasefire on .

3 April 1991

Iraq accepted ceasefire terms under Resolution 687 (), which imposed disarmament obligations, established the UN Special Commission (UNSCOM) to verify the el…

Research it like a delegate

The Gulf War, often called the First Gulf War or Operation Desert Storm, began with Iraq's invasion of Kuwait on 2 August 1990 under Saddam Hussein, driven by disputes over oil pricing, the Rumaila oil field, and Kuwaiti debt claims dating to the Iran–Iraq War.

The UN Security Council responded rapidly. Resolution 660 (2 August 1990) condemned the invasion and demanded withdrawal. Resolution 661 imposed comprehensive economic sanctions. Resolution 678 (29 November 1990) authorized member states to use "all necessary means" to enforce prior resolutions if Iraq did not withdraw by 15 January 1991 — a landmark invocation of collective security under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.

A coalition of roughly 35 states, led by the United States under President George H. W. Bush and commanded in theatre by General Norman Schwarzkopf, assembled in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield. Major contributors included the United Kingdom, France, Egypt, Syria, and Saudi Arabia. Japan and Germany, constrained by their constitutions, contributed financially.

The air campaign of Operation Desert Storm began on 17 January 1991, followed by a ground offensive on 24 February. Coalition forces liberated Kuwait City within four days, and President Bush declared a ceasefire on 28 February 1991. Iraq accepted ceasefire terms under Resolution 687 (3 April 1991), which imposed disarmament obligations, established the UN Special Commission (UNSCOM) to verify the elimination of weapons of mass destruction, and demarcated the Iraq–Kuwait border.

The war is studied for several reasons:

It marked the first major test of post–Cold War collective security.
It demonstrated the doctrinal shift toward precision-guided munitions and air power.
It produced the long sanctions regime and no-fly zones over northern and southern Iraq.
It left unresolved tensions that contributed to the 2003 Iraq War.

Iraqi casualties are disputed; coalition combat deaths numbered fewer than 300. Lasting consequences include the displacement of Kurds and Shia after failed post-war uprisings, and persistent US military presence in the Gulf.

Frequently asked questions

Was the Gulf War legally authorized by the UN?

Yes. Security Council Resolution 678 (29 November 1990) authorized 'all necessary means' to enforce Iraqi withdrawal, making it one of the clearest Chapter VII enforcement actions in UN history.

Why didn't the coalition remove Saddam Hussein in 1991?

The UN mandate covered only the liberation of Kuwait. President George H. W. Bush and coalition partners feared that advancing on Baghdad would fracture the coalition, particularly its Arab members, and create an open-ended occupation.

How is the Gulf War different from the Iraq War?

The 1990–91 Gulf War was a UN-authorized coalition action to liberate Kuwait. The 2003 Iraq War was a US- and UK-led invasion to remove Saddam Hussein, conducted without explicit Security Council authorization.

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Frequently asked questions

Was the Gulf War legally authorized by the UN?

Why didn't the coalition remove Saddam Hussein in 1991?

How is the Gulf War different from the Iraq War?

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Gulf War in the news

Take Gulf War beyond the glossary

Frequently asked questions

Was the Gulf War legally authorized by the UN?

Why didn't the coalition remove Saddam Hussein in 1991?

How is the Gulf War different from the Iraq War?

Gulf War in the news