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Gulf War: the story on HearLore | HearLore
— Ch. 1 · Origins And Escalation —
Gulf War.
~7 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
On the 2nd of August 1990, Iraqi tanks rolled across the border into Kuwait City. The invasion began with a bombing of the capital and lasted only two days before most resistance collapsed. Saddam Hussein's government claimed Kuwait had been stealing oil from Iraq's Rumaila field through slant drilling. This accusation was later proven false by oil workers who stated that oil flowed easily without such techniques. Economic disputes also fueled the conflict. Iraq owed Kuwait $14 billion from the Iran, Iraq War. Baghdad demanded debt forgiveness while Kuwait refused to cancel loans. Oil prices had dropped to as low as $18 per barrel. This slump cost Iraq $7 billion annually, equaling its entire 1989 balance of payments deficit. On the 15th of July 1990, Saddam laid out objections to the Arab League. He threatened force against Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. The US sent aerial refueling planes and combat ships to the Persian Gulf in response. Discussions in Jeddah mediated by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak failed to prevent war. On the 23rd of July 1990, CIA reports showed 30,000 Iraqi troops moved to the border. The US naval fleet went on alert. Saddam believed an anti-Iraq conspiracy was developing. He claimed Kuwait had begun talks with Iran. His rival Syria arranged a visit to Egypt. On the 26th of July 1990, OPEC officials agreed to limit output. Yet the invasion proceeded anyway.
Coalition Formation And Buildup
Operation Desert Shield began on the 7th of August 1990 when US troops entered Saudi Arabia. King Fahd requested American military assistance after Iraq conquered Kuwait. The operation initially aimed to defend Saudi oil fields from Iraqi aggression. Military buildup reached 543,000 troops within months. This number was twice that used in the 2003 invasion. The US Navy dispatched two battle groups built around aircraft carriers USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and USS Independence. They were ready by the 8th of August. The US also sent battleships USS Missouri and USS Wisconsin. Forty-eight F-15 fighters from Langley Air Force Base landed in Saudi Arabia. They commenced round-the-clock air patrols along the border. Another 36 F-15s came from Bitburg, Germany. These units shot down 11 confirmed Iraqi aircraft during the war. Amphibious exercises called Operation Imminent Thunder involved 1,100 aircraft and 1,000 Marines. General Norman Schwarzkopf stated these drills deceived Iraqi forces into defending the coastline. A coalition of 42 countries eventually formed. Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Morocco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Syria, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the UK, and the US joined. US troops represented 73% of the coalition's 956,600 personnel. Japan and Germany made financial contributions totaling $10 billion and $6.6 billion respectively. James Baker traveled to nine countries on an 11-day journey dubbed The Tin Cup Trip. He secured debt forgiveness for Egypt and pledged support from Syria. President Mubarak received approximately $7 billion in debt relief. Syria agreed to pledge up to 100,000 troops.
Air Campaign And Scud Wars
The air campaign began on the 16th of January 1991 with extensive bombing of Iraq. Coalition forces flew over 100,000 sorties dropping 88,500 tonnes of bombs. Iraqi anti-aircraft defenses proved surprisingly ineffective against enemy aircraft. The coalition suffered only 75 aircraft losses in over 100,000 sorties. Forty-four losses were due to Iraqi action. Two losses resulted from aircraft colliding with the ground while evading weapons. Iraq fired 88 Scud missiles during the war's seven weeks. These attacks targeted Israel and Saudi Arabia. Five hours after the first attacks, state radio declared dawn victory nears. Iraq hoped to provoke a military response from Israel. This would split Muslim-majority countries from the coalition. Israeli civilians died directly from missile strikes. Between 11 and 74 people died from incorrect gas mask use or heart attacks. Approximately 230 Israelis were injured. Extensive property damage included 1,302 houses and 6,142 apartments damaged. The US rapidly sent Patriot missile batteries to defend Israel. The Royal Netherlands Air Force also deployed a squadron. One Saudi civilian was killed by a Scud strike into Dhahran. Over 100 others were injured when a missile hit a US Army barracks on the 25th of February 1991. A subsequent investigation found the assigned Patriot battery failed due to computer errors compounding over 100 hours of consecutive use.
Ground Assault And Tank Battles
The ground campaign began on the 24th of February 1991 liberating Kuwait. Coalition forces advanced into Iraqi territory within days. The offensive lasted one hundred hours before a ceasefire was declared. Task Force 1, 41 Infantry breached the Saudi border on the 15th of February 1991. They conducted ground combat operations in Iraq against enemy positions on the 17th of February. Around 300 guns from multiple countries participated in an artillery barrage. Over 14,000 rounds were fired during these missions. M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems contributed another 4,900 rockets. Iraq lost close to 22 artillery battalions during initial stages. Approximately 396 Iraqi artillery pieces were destroyed. The Battle of Khafji ended two days after Iraqi forces occupied the city on the 29th of January. Allied forces used extensive artillery fire to drive them back. Iraqi vehicle losses included 357 tanks and 147 armored personnel carriers. One Iraqi soldier remarked his brigade sustained more punishment in 30 minutes than in eight years fighting Iran. The largest tank battles in American military history occurred here. These included Medina Ridge, Norfolk, and 73 Easting. The U.S. Marine Corps fought its biggest tank battle at Kuwait International Airport. The U.S. 3rd Armored Division destroyed approximately 300 enemy vehicles near Objective Dorset. VII Corps served as the primary combat formation with 1,487 tanks and 1,384 infantry fighting vehicles.
Propaganda And Public Opinion
A public relations firm called Hill & Knowlton spent about $11 million for Citizens for a Free Kuwait. They distributed books on Iraqi atrocities to US soldiers. T-shirts and speakers appeared on college campuses. Video news releases went to television stations. A young woman identified herself as a nurse working in a Kuwait City hospital. She described Iraqi soldiers pulling babies out of incubators and letting them die on the floor. Six Congressmen said this testimony was enough to support military action. Seven Senators referenced it in debate. The Senate voted 52, 47 to authorize force. However, a year after the war, the allegation was revealed as fabrication. The young woman was found to be a member of Kuwait's royal family. She was the daughter of Kuwait's ambassador to the US. She had not lived in Kuwait during the invasion. Amnesty International issued a retraction after finding no evidence supporting greater numbers of babies torn from incubators. Bush repeated the allegations on television. The Iraqi Army did commit well-documented crimes such as summary executions without trial. Three brothers were executed and their bodies stacked to decay in a street. One resident commented that violence seemed surrealistic like a Salvador Dalí painting.
Aftermath And Long Term Consequences
The Iraqi government suppressed uprisings until the 5th of April 1991. Coalition countries established two no-fly zones over Iraq's north and south. The United Nations Special Commission sought to end weapons of mass destruction programs. Environmental damage included over six hundred oil well fires set by Iraqi forces. This created the largest oil spill in history until that point. US bombing and demolition of chemical weapons facilities caused Gulf War syndrome. Over 40% of US veterans experienced this condition. The conflict introduced live news broadcasts from front lines principally by CNN. It earned the nickname Video Game War due to daily images from aircraft cameras. The US adopted satellite-based reconnaissance, communications, and GPS navigation. Precision-guided munitions and F-117 Nighthawk stealth aircraft were novel features. In 2003 another coalition invaded Iraq beginning the Iraq War. Saddam Hussein was captured during interrogation claiming economic disputes triggered invasion. He stated an insulting exchange between Kuwaiti emir Al Sabah and Iraqi foreign minister was decisive. The emir allegedly said he would turn every Iraqi woman into a $10 prostitute. Tariq Aziz later told PBS Frontline that American policy before August 2 was negative toward Iraq.
What caused the Gulf War to begin on the 2nd of August 1990?
Iraqi tanks crossed into Kuwait City on the 2nd of August 1990 following false accusations that Kuwait was stealing oil from Iraq's Rumaila field. Economic disputes also fueled the conflict because Iraq owed Kuwait $14 billion from the Iran, Iraq War and demanded debt forgiveness.
When did Operation Desert Shield start and how many troops were deployed?
Operation Desert Shield began on the 7th of August 1990 when US troops entered Saudi Arabia after King Fahd requested American military assistance. Military buildup reached 543,000 troops within months which was twice the number used in the 2003 invasion.
How long did the air campaign last during the Gulf War and what were the losses?
The air campaign began on the 16th of January 1991 with extensive bombing of Iraq and lasted for seven weeks while coalition forces flew over 100,000 sorties. The coalition suffered only 75 aircraft losses including 44 losses due to Iraqi action and two losses resulting from aircraft colliding with the ground.
What happened during the ground campaign starting on the 24th of February 1991?
The ground campaign began on the 24th of February 1991 liberating Kuwait and lasted one hundred hours before a ceasefire was declared. Coalition forces advanced into Iraqi territory and destroyed approximately 396 Iraqi artillery pieces along with 357 tanks and 147 armored personnel carriers.
Who fabricated the incubator story that influenced public opinion about the Gulf War?
A young woman identified as a nurse working in a Kuwait City hospital fabricated the story about Iraqi soldiers pulling babies out of incubators. She was later found to be a member of Kuwait's royal family and the daughter of Kuwait's ambassador to the US who had not lived in Kuwait during the invasion.
Why did the Gulf War end and what environmental damage occurred after the conflict?
The Iraqi government suppressed uprisings until the 5th of April 1991 when coalition countries established two no-fly zones over Iraq's north and south. Environmental damage included over six hundred oil well fires set by Iraqi forces which created the largest oil spill in history until that point.