The Gulf War: Key Events and Impacts (1990-1991)

The Gulf War began on August 2, 1990 when Iraq invaded Kuwait.

The United States led a coalition of 37 countries against Iraq from January 17, 1991 to February 28, 1991.

The war resulted in a clear victory for the coalition forces, liberating Kuwait.

The aftermath saw heavy casualties and destruction in both Iraq and Kuwait.

The coalition included major players like The United States, The United Kingdom, and France.

The operation launched by the coalition was named Operation Desert Storm.

Over 956,600 troops were deployed, predominantly from The United States.

The United States Air Force (USAF) executed extensive bombing campaigns to cripple Iraq's military capabilities.

The United Nations imposed sanctions on Iraq that remained in effect post-war.

Civilian casualties in Iraq were estimated at around 100,000, with significant destruction across the country.

Kuwait experienced substantial losses, with tens of thousands dead and many displaced.

The war sparked uprisings within Iraq, particularly among the Shia and Kurds.

The conflict marked a significant shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics, effectively involving numerous international actors.

It highlighted the military superiority of the coalition, especially the United States's strategic capabilities.

The Gulf War had lasting implications on Kuwait's sovereignty and Iraq's political landscape.

It served as a precursor to later conflicts in Iraq and ongoing regional tensions.

The Gulf War mandated the prohibition of flights north of the 36th parallel in Iraq, leading to the establishment of a de facto Kurdish administration.

After the war, the United Nations imposed economic sanctions on Iraq which persisted post-conflict.

The Saddam Hussein regime gradually opposed UN aid programs, claiming them as interventions.

Turgut Özal, then President of Turkey, aimed to assert the nation’s continued strategic importance amid regional tensions.

In response to the Gulf tensions, Turkey deployed about 180,000 soldiers along the Iraqi border.

Turkey facilitated the use of its İncirlik Air Base by U.S. forces, marking its involvement in the crisis.

The Gulf War has resulted in the strengthening of extremist movements throughout Middle East and Northern Africa.

Despite achieving military objectives, the war did not stabilize the region effectively and weakened the unity of Arab nations.

The aftermath reshaped the regional balance of power, placing Iran in a stronger position following Iraq's decline.

The U.S. successfully deployed over 500,000 troops to Middle East, showcasing international dominance.

The war allowed the U.S. to offload outdated munitions while experimenting with new weapon systems.

Following the conflict, the U.S. increased arms sales to conservative Gulf states, capitalizing on regional instability.