Operation Desert Storm
16 January 1991
Operation Desert Storm began on January 16, 1991 – five months after Iraqi forces invaded and occupied Kuwait.
• This campaign to expel the Iraqis is also known as the Gulf War; This occurred after Iraqi President Saddam Hussein refused to withdraw his forces from Kuwait.
• In response, the United States and allies began a buildup of arms and forces in Saudi Arabia.
This phase, giving effect to Operation Desert Storm, was known as Operation Desert Shield.
• Early on January 16, 1991, the air campaign began with US Army and Air Force helicopters.
• Iraqi forces were not inactive.
• On January 29, 1991, they attacked and captured the city of Khafji in Saudi Arabia.
• Two days later, they were expelled from Saudi Arabia by US Marines, Saudi and Qatari forces.
• On February 24, 1991, a ground war began as U.S. and allied forces advanced deep into Kuwait and Iraq before the end of the day.
• On February 24, 1991, a ground war began as U.S. and allied forces advanced deep into Kuwait and Iraq before the end of the day.
• This war activity was so rapid that a large number of Iraqi soldiers started surrendering within a few hours.
• By February 28, 1991, American and allied ground troops in Iraq and Kuwait decisively routed a battle-hardened army – the fourth largest in the world – and liberated Kuwait.
• It was the largest US military operation since the Vietnam War and was considered a decisive victory for the US and its allies.
