Gulf War

Invasion and Coalition

Iraq invaded Kuwait on August 2, 1990, and occupied the country. Saddam Hussein’s government had emerged from its war with Iran burdened by debt and disputes with Gulf neighbors over oil production, revenue, and territory. The Kuwaiti leadership sought refuge in Saudi Arabia and international support for restoring its government. [1]

President George H. W. Bush organized a coalition and deployed American forces to Saudi Arabia. The United Nations Security Council demanded Iraqi withdrawal and imposed economic sanctions. Resolution 678, adopted on November 29, authorized states cooperating with Kuwait to use force if Iraq failed to comply by January 15, 1991. The Soviet Union voted in favor, while China abstained, allowing a military coalition to proceed with Security Council authority as the Cold War was ending. [2] [1]

Expelling Iraqi Forces

After the deadline passed, the coalition opened an air campaign against targets in Iraq and occupied Kuwait, followed by a ground offensive on February 24. Coalition forces advanced through Kuwait and around Iraqi positions from the west. Iraqi missiles struck Israel and Saudi Arabia; Israel did not enter the fighting. Iraqi forces retreated, setting fire to Kuwaiti oil wells. The coalition halted its offensive on February 28 after expelling Iraqi forces from Kuwait. [1] [3]

The campaign expelled the occupiers without overthrowing Saddam Hussein. His forces suppressed subsequent uprisings by Shiites in southern Iraq and Kurds in the north. The war therefore produced sharply different outcomes: Kuwait regained its sovereignty, while Iraq’s population faced renewed repression and the consequences of a devastated economy and damaged infrastructure. [3] [1]

The Ceasefire System

Security Council Resolution 687 of April 3, 1991, set the terms for a formal ceasefire. It required respect for the Iraq–Kuwait boundary, compensation for invasion losses, and international supervision of the destruction of Iraq’s chemical and biological weapons and specified missiles. It also imposed nuclear disarmament obligations and intrusive inspections. Sanctions, subject to humanitarian exceptions and conditions for relief, remained an instrument for enforcing compliance. [4]

The ceasefire also addressed people and property displaced by the invasion. Iraq had to cooperate with the International Committee of the Red Cross in locating and returning missing Kuwaiti and other foreign nationals, and return seized Kuwaiti property. These requirements extended the work of postwar diplomacy beyond military withdrawal to prisoners, families, borders, compensation, and weapons verification. [4]

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