Persian Gulf War

Key People Key people President George H. Bush

Saddam Hussein

Colin Powell, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

Norman Schwarzkopf, US Commander

August 2, 1989 – Iraq invades Kuwait UN Security Council condemns invasion, imposes economic sanctions

Invasion is a big threat to Saudi Arabia and US oil supply

UN Security Council issues ultimatum: withdraw by January 15, 1991, or force will be used

On January 12, 1991 the United States Congress authorized the use of military force ( as part of the UN coalition) to drive Iraq out of Kuwait. This is not the same as declaring war!!!

The War Smart bombs, the Nintendo War Iraq bombed Israel

Escalated to ground battles in February

February 28th – victory Kuwait liberated, Saddam Hussein remains in Iraq

US deaths – 345, casualties about 1,000 Iraqi deaths – 50,000 – 100,000

TV Coverage Journalists embedded with US troops Information censored

Americans watched live Scud missile attacks on CNN

Environmental Damage the Iraqi military forces in Kuwait opened valves at the Sea Island oil terminal near Kuwait City and released large quantities of crude oil into the Gulf, an act of environmental warfare

When Iraqi troops withdrew from Kuwait at the end of the Persian Gulf War in early 1991, they set fire to more than 600 oil wells and pools of spilled oil in Kuwait.

Gulf War Syndrome A growing number of Gulf War vets have unexplained symptoms including fatigue, respiratory illness, muscular pain, skin rash, memory loss, dizziness

This may be the result of exposure to toxic gases, radioactive exposure from ammunition, or other sources Studies inconclusive and more research is being done.