THE GULF WAR

JANUARY 17, 1991

Cause: The Gulf War was a short military conflict between Iraqi and United Nation forces during the first two months of 1991.

On August 2, 1990, Iraqi troops invaded and then occupied neighboring Kuwait. The United Nations, at the urging of The United States Of America, sent forces to nearby nations to pressure Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait. Eventually thirty-four different nations sent forces to the region. Iraq president, Saddam Hussein, however, refused to withdraw his troops from Kuwait. The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait started the Gulf War, which was named after the neighboring Persian Gulf. On January 17, 1991, the United Nations assault, known as Operation Desert Storm, began. On that day, United Nation forces launched an air assault against the Iraqi military. On February 24, 1991, the United Nations troops launched a ground assault.

The Conclusion: After enduring more than one month of bombing from the air and missile strikes, the Iraqi forces quickly retreated and also surrendered by the thousands. By February 27, a ceasefire had been declared, and Iraqi forces withdrew from Kuwait.

Thousands of Ohioans participated in The Gulf War. Approximately 540,000 United States soldiers participated in the conflict