The Gulf War, an intense armed campaign waged by a formidable United States-led coalition of 35 nations against Iraq, unfolded in the early 1990s as a direct response to Iraq's audacious invasion and subsequent annexation of its neighbor, Kuwait. This significant conflict, often remembered for its dramatic display of modern warfare and its extensive media coverage, was known by two distinct codenames: Operation Desert Shield, which spanned from August 2, 1990, to January 17, 1991, encompassing the crucial pre-combat buildup of troops and the robust defense of Saudi Arabia, and Operation Desert Storm, the intense combat phase that raged from January 17, 1991, until February 28, 1991.

The Road to Conflict: Invasion and International Outcry

The catalyst for the Gulf War was Iraq's swift and overwhelming invasion of the neighboring State of Kuwait on August 2, 1990. Within a mere two days, the Iraqi military had fully occupied the small, oil-rich nation, sending shockwaves across the international community. The motives behind this aggressive move have been the subject of much speculation and analysis. One primary factor cited was Iraq's staggering inability to repay Kuwait the more than US$14 billion it had borrowed to finance its protracted military efforts during the devastating Iran–Iraq War (1980-1988). Another significant point of contention was Kuwait's substantial petroleum production levels, which, according to Iraq, kept international oil revenues depressed and severely hampered Iraq's economic recovery post-war. Indeed, throughout much of the 1980s, Kuwait's oil output consistently exceeded its mandatory OPEC quota, contributing to lower global oil prices. Baghdad interpreted Kuwait's steadfast refusal to decrease its oil production as nothing less than an act of economic aggression against the struggling Iraqi economy.

The invasion of Kuwait was met with swift and unequivocal international condemnation. The United Nations Security Council immediately imposed stringent economic sanctions against Iraq, signaling a unified global disapproval. In a decisive show of force and commitment, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and American President George H. W. Bush swiftly deployed troops and military equipment into Saudi Arabia. They also issued a powerful call to action, urging other nations to send their own forces to the region. The response was unprecedented: an impressive array of countries answered the call, joining the U.S.-led coalition and forming the largest military alliance witnessed since World War II. The overwhelming majority of the coalition's military might originated from the United States, with Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and Egypt contributing the largest lead-up forces, in that specific order. The financial burden of this massive undertaking was also shared, with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia collectively contributing approximately US$32 billion towards the estimated US$60 billion total cost.

Operation Desert Storm: The Combat Phase

The initial phase of the military offensive, aimed at expelling Iraqi forces from Kuwait, commenced with a relentless aerial and naval bombardment on January 17, 1991. This intense air campaign persisted for five weeks, systematically degrading Iraq's military capabilities and infrastructure. During this period, in a calculated move designed to disrupt the coalition, Iraq began launching Scud missiles into Israel. The Iraqi leadership's aim was to provoke a retaliatory response from the Israeli military, which they hoped would, in turn, prompt the coalition's Muslim states to withdraw, thereby fracturing the alliance against Iraq. However, the Iraqi missile campaign against Israel failed to elicit the desired response. Undeterred, Iraq also launched Scud missiles at coalition targets stationed within Saudi Arabia.

Following the extensive air campaign, the ground assault, a pivotal component of Operation Desert Storm, was launched by the coalition into Iraqi-occupied Kuwait on February 24. This offensive proved to be a decisive victory for the coalition forces. They swiftly liberated Kuwait and then began to advance rapidly past the Iraq–Kuwait border into Iraqi territory. A mere 100 hours after the ground campaign began, the coalition declared a ceasefire and ceased its advance, marking a swift and conclusive end to major combat operations. Both aerial and ground combat throughout the war were primarily confined to Iraq, Kuwait, and the areas straddling the Iraq–Saudi Arabia border.

The Gulf War's Enduring Legacy and Media Impact

Beyond its military and political significance, the Gulf War marked a transformative moment in the history of media. It heralded the introduction of live news broadcasts directly from the front lines of the battle, most notably by the American television network CNN. This real-time coverage brought the realities of war into living rooms worldwide, creating what is often referred to as the "CNN Effect," a phenomenon where live media coverage can influence public opinion and government policy. The conflict also earned the evocative nickname "Video Game War," largely due to the daily broadcasts of images from cameras mounted on American bombers during Operation Desert Storm, giving the public a sanitized, almost video-game-like perspective of precision strikes. Militarily, the Gulf War gained notoriety for encompassing three of the largest tank battles in American military history, showcasing the scale and intensity of the ground engagements.

The Scud Missile: A Cold War Relic in Modern Conflict

The term "Scud missile" refers to a series of tactical ballistic missiles originally developed by the Soviet Union during the intense period of the Cold War. These potent weapons were widely exported to both Second and Third World countries, becoming a common sight in various regional conflicts. The name "Scud" itself is a NATO reporting name, a classification given to the missile by Western intelligence agencies for identification purposes. The original Russian designations for these missiles were the R-11 for the first version, and the R-17 (later known as the R-300) Elbrus for subsequent, more advanced developments. Over time, the name "Scud" has been broadly adopted to refer not only to these original Soviet missiles but also to the diverse array of derivative variants developed in other countries based on the foundational Soviet design.

Scud missiles have seen extensive combat use since the 1970s, predominantly in conflicts throughout the volatile Middle East. They became particularly familiar to the Western public during the 1991 Persian Gulf War, when Iraq launched dozens of these missiles at both Israel and Saudi Arabia, aiming to create strategic disruption. In contemporary Russian military service, the Scud missile is being progressively replaced by the more modern and advanced 9K720 Iskander system.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Gulf War

What was the Gulf War?

The Gulf War was an armed conflict in 1990-1991 between a 35-nation, U.S.-led coalition and Iraq, triggered by Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.

When did the Gulf War take place?

The conflict officially began with the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990, and the combat phase, Operation Desert Storm, lasted from January 17, 1991, to February 28, 1991.

Why did Iraq invade Kuwait?

Iraq's invasion of Kuwait was motivated by several factors, including its inability to repay a significant debt to Kuwait from the Iran-Iraq War and disputes over Kuwait's oil production levels, which Iraq claimed negatively impacted its economy.

What was the purpose of the coalition forces?

The primary objective of the U.S.-led coalition forces was to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation and restore its sovereignty, which they successfully achieved.

What were Scud missiles?

Scud missiles are a series of tactical ballistic missiles developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. They were widely exported and became known to the Western public during the Gulf War when Iraq used them against Israel and Saudi Arabia.

How did the Gulf War end?

The Gulf War concluded with a decisive victory for the coalition forces. After a 100-hour ground offensive that liberated Kuwait, a ceasefire was declared, and Iraqi forces were compelled to withdraw, though long-term sanctions and no-fly zones were imposed on Iraq.