The Gulf War
On 2nd August 1990 Saddam Hussein the leader of Iraq invaded
Kuwait. Kuwait is a tiny oil-producing state in the Persian Gulf. The response
of the international community was swift. The United Nations demanded Iraq to
withdraw the war and to impose a trade embargo. A US-led coalition force made
up of nearly one million service personnel from 32 countries, including 53,457
from the United Kingdom, was assembled to expel the Iraq should diplomacy fail.
The United Nation set a deadline of 15th January 1991 for
Iraq forces to leave Kuwait. This deadline was ignored by Iraq. The air war
began on 17th January with coalition aircraft flying over 100,000
sorties. Land operations started on 24th February and were
successfully concluded in just five days. Coalition forces lost 392 dead,
including 47 British soldiers. Iraq battle deaths were estimated at between
20,000 and 35,000, while over 3000 civilians were killed in coalition air
strikes.
Saddam Hussein remained in power in Iraq and subsequent sanctions left
the country economically crippled and internationally isolated. Later America dethroned
Saddam Hussein under the pretext that he was undemocratic and in possession of
dangerous weapons.
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