The Untold Story of the Gulf War 1990-91: Heroes, Tragedies, and a Shattered Region

As we look back on the tumultuous events that unfolded in the Gulf between 1990 and 1991, it becomes evident that this conflict was not only a turning point for the countries involved, but it also forever changed the dynamics of international relations.

The Gulf War, also known as Operation Desert Storm, was a military confrontation between Iraq and a coalition of forces led by the United States following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. The war lasted for approximately seven months, from August 1990 to February 1991, resulting in significant casualties, destruction, and most notably, the reshaping of the geopolitics of the Middle East.

The Build-Up to the Conflict

The Gulf War was preceded by a series of events that gradually intensified tensions in the region. The long-standing animosity between Iraq and Kuwait over territorial disputes reached a boiling point when Iraqi President Saddam Hussein accused Kuwait of using slant drilling techniques to extract oil from Iraqi fields. This led to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, a move that sent shockwaves throughout the international community.

War in the Gulf, 1990-91: The Iraq-Kuwait Conflict and Its Implications

by Majid Khadduri(Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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The invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi forces took place on August 2, 1990, and within hours, Kuwait was under the control of the Iraqi military. This act of aggression triggered an immediate response from the United Nations, culminating in the passing of UN Security Council Resolution 660, which condemned Iraq's actions and called for its immediate withdrawal from Kuwait.

The Coalition Forms

In response to the Iraqi invasion, the United States, under the leadership of President George H. W. Bush, spearheaded efforts to form a multinational coalition to counter Iraq's aggression. Over the next few months, more than 30 countries, including countries from the Middle East such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt, joined forces to help liberate Kuwait and restore peace in the region.

The coalition-building process was a remarkable feat, considering the diverse political and cultural backgrounds of the member countries. It showcased the global condemnation of Iraq's actions and signaled a united front against its aggression.

The Dawn of Operation Desert Storm

As diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis peacefully failed, the coalition forces commenced Operation Desert Storm on January 17, 1991. The objective was clear: to free Kuwait from Iraqi occupation and prevent further aggression in the region.

The military campaign was a testament to the advancements in modern warfare. It involved a combination of aerial bombardment, naval assaults, and ground offensives targeting key military installations, infrastructure, and communication networks in Iraq and Kuwait. The relentless bombardment was intended to weaken Iraq's forces and pave the way for a ground assault.

The Tragedy of the War - Human and Environmental Impact

The Gulf War witnessed countless tragic incidents that had a lasting impact on the people and the environment of the region. One such tragedy was the bombing of the Amiriya shelter in Baghdad, which resulted in the death of hundreds of innocent civilians seeking refuge. This incident highlighted the devastating consequences of a conflict that inevitably inflicts harm on the most vulnerable.

Additionally, the war left the region scarred with environmental catastrophes. The deliberate destruction of Kuwait's oil fields by the retreating Iraqi forces resulted in vast oil spills that polluted the air, water, and soil, affecting human health, wildlife, and the ecosystem for years to come.

The End of the War - A New Beginning for the Region

After an intense military campaign, the coalition forces achieved their objectives. On February 28, 1991, a ceasefire was declared, marking the end of the Gulf War. Kuwait was liberated from Iraq's control, and the global balance of power had shifted.

However, the legacy of the war continues to shape the region to this day. The conflicts and instability that followed in the aftermath of the Gulf War, including the Iraq War and the rise of extremist groups, bear witness to the profound and lasting impact of this historic conflict.

Remembering the Gulf War's Heroes

Amidst the chaos and destruction of war, countless acts of heroism emerged. The bravery and resilience of soldiers, medical personnel, aid workers, and journalists who put their lives on the line to document the war should never be forgotten. Their stories serve as a reminder of the selflessness and unwavering dedication exhibited during the darkest of times.

The Gulf War: Lessons Learned

The Gulf War taught the world valuable lessons about the consequences of unchecked aggression and the importance of international cooperation in addressing global conflicts. It demonstrated the need for diplomacy, intervention, and the careful consideration of potential consequences when facing such complex geopolitical challenges.

The Gulf War's Continuing Impact

As we reflect on the events of the Gulf War, it is clear that its repercussions extend far beyond the region itself. From a geopolitical standpoint, the war altered the balance of power in the Middle East, prompting further conflicts and redefining the role of international actors in the region's affairs.

The war also emphasized the significance of energy security and the potential disruption to global oil supplies, prompting countries to reassess their energy strategies and diversify their sources.

The Gulf War's Legacy

The Gulf War tested the resilience of nations, affected countless lives, and reshaped international dynamics. It serves as a reminder of the complexities of global conflicts and the need for diplomatic solutions when faced with aggression.

Today, as conflicts continue to ravage the region, it is crucial to revisit the lessons learned from the Gulf War and strive for peaceful resolutions that prevent further suffering.

The Gulf War of 1990-91 was a historic conflict that not only showcased the might of military forces but also highlighted the human tragedy and long-lasting environmental consequences that result from armed conflicts. The conflict left an indelible mark on the region while reshaping international relations and prompting ongoing geopolitical struggles.

As we strive for a more peaceful and stable world, it is essential to remember the events of the Gulf War, learn from its lessons, and work towards preventing future conflicts of such magnitude.

War in the Gulf, 1990-91: The Iraq-Kuwait Conflict and Its Implications

by Majid Khadduri(Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	9500 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	312 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

For most Americans, the war against Iraq lingers in memory as a vast morality play, a drama offering ready made heroes and villains: a glowering dictator in military uniform, hapless Kuwaiti refugees with tales of persecution, plucky pilots with high-tech wizardry, and a defiant American president, ringing Churchillian as he drew a line in the sand. But this characterization of the war is greatly oversimplified, a one-dimensional portrait, lacking in context and nuance. In War in the Gulf, 1990 91, eminent scholars Majid Khadduri and Edmund Ghareeb paint a very different picture, one that brings historical depth to the portrait, and displays the actions of many of the participants in a new and revealing light.
Khadduri and Ghareeb offer a far more accurate and complex portrait of the Iraq-Kuwait conflict, providing a wealth of background information not readily available before. They made a distinction between the differences between Iraq and Kuwait over frontiers, territory, and sovereignty and the method pursued by Iraqi leaders to resolve those differences. They explore, for instance, the history of relations between Iraq and Kuwait, revealing that Kuwait had once been a part of Basra (in southern Iraq) during the Ottoman rule, and only became a separate country while under British control (it was the British in fact who drew the much-disputed boundary line between Iraq and Kuwait). Khadduri and Ghareeb describe the many decades of struggle to resolve the boundary issue, examining the repeated attempts by other Arab states to mediate according to Islamic traditions of consultation and peaceful resolution within the faith. The authors also show how Saddam Husayn's war with Iran exacerbated the boundary tensions. Because of the decade-long war, Iraq badly needed oil revenue to repay wartime loans and to rebuild, but Kuwait persisted in pumping far beyond its OPEC quota, driving down prices, and costing Iraq billions of dollars of revenue. The book reveals how Kuwait spurned Arab attempts to mediate this clash over oil prices as well as the longstanding boundary dispute, frustrating efforts to resolve this crisis by peaceful means. In one particularly interesting section, the book examines the diplomatic talks during the early summer of 1990, both among various Arab nations (most notably, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Kuwait),and with Saddam Husayn and the United States (they show how messages from Washington and a visit by a congressional delegation lead by Senator Dole convinced the Iraqi leaders that they would be allowed to settle their problems with Kuwait without outside interference). Khadduri and Ghareeb carry us through to the present, exploring the war and its aftermath, from the uprisings against Baghdad, to the continuing U.N. sanctions, to the recent defections from Saddam's inner circle.
War in the Gulf is a balanced, eye-opening account of one of the central events of recent years. It corrects the Western views of most reporting, explaining the frame of mind of the participants as no one has done before and causing us to examine anew such questions as who was responsible for the conflict, and what might have happened if the United States had not intervened so rapidly.