Persian Gulf War Overview

Study Notes

In August 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait, sparking international concern over Saddam Hussein's intentions. The Persian Gulf War was triggered by this invasion of neighboring countries, including Saudi Arabia which was targeted with missiles and troops. The conflict began when President George H.W Bush threatened military action against Iraq if it did not withdraw its forces from Kuwait within two days.

The first significant battle of the war took place on January 17th, 1991 when U.S. and British aircraft launched a series of attacks on Iraqi airfields and command centers. This marked the beginning of Operation Desert Storm, during which Allied forces primarily engaged in ground combat operations against the Iraqi army stationed in Kuwait. Another notable engagement occurred in March 1991 near Khafji where Coalition forces faced fierce resistance before eventually pushing back Iraqi units.

There were several factors contributing to the decision to go to war, such as the threat posed by Iraq's weaponry, particularly Scud missile attacks which caused civilian deaths across Israel and Saudi Arabian cities. Additionally, there was pressure from US allies who believed they had received assurances their territory would never again be attacked by another country.

Following the war, the United States and Western powers established an economic embargo on Iraq until December 1996, restricting trade under UN sanction rules. Although the territorial sovereignty of Kuwait has been restored since the end of hostilities in late April 1991, various regional repercussions have ensued. For instance, Iran gained more power through political manipulation after the war ended. Furthermore, some scholars argue that due to the unconventional methods used by the coalition forces in conducting the war—including targeting civilians and using chemical weapons—it set a precedent for future conflicts like those in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In summary, the Persian Gulf War resulted from aggression towards neighboring nations by Iraq. Major engagements included bombings of airfields and ground combat operations around Khafij. Deterrents for going to war consisted mainly of threats from Iraqi missile attacks and pressures from allies. After the war, an embargo was applied on Iraq while certain regions saw shifts in political influence; notably, Iran became stronger politically post-war. Moreover, the conflict may have paved the way for similar tactics seen later in other conflicts.

Description

Test your knowledge on the Persian Gulf War, a conflict arising from Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and subsequent military actions. This quiz covers key events like Operation Desert Storm, significant battles, reasons for going to war, and the aftermath of the conflict.