The Gulf War, an pivotal armed conflict, was initiated by a robust United States-led coalition comprising 35 nations against Iraq. This decisive military intervention was a direct response to Iraq's unprovoked invasion and subsequent annexation of its smaller, oil-rich neighbour, Kuwait, which commenced on 2 August 1990. The campaign unfolded in two distinct operational phases: initially, Operation Desert Shield, spanning from 2 August 1990 to 17 January 1991, focused on a massive pre-combat military buildup and the strategic defense of Saudi Arabia, a critical regional ally. This was followed by the combat phase, Operation Desert Storm, which ran from 17 January 1991 to 28 February 1991.

On 2 August 1990, the Iraqi military launched a rapid and overwhelming invasion of the sovereign State of Kuwait, achieving full occupation of the country within an astonishing two-day timeframe. This swift conquest raised immediate international alarms. Several key factors are widely speculated as the underlying motivations for Iraq's audacious act. A primary driver was Iraq's dire financial situation post-Iran-Iraq War; the nation was struggling to repay over US$14 billion it had borrowed from Kuwait to finance its costly eight-year conflict with Iran (1980-1988). Additionally, Kuwait's consistent increase in petroleum production levels, often exceeding its mandatory quota set by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) throughout the 1980s, contributed to a global oversupply of oil. This kept international oil prices artificially low, directly diminishing Iraq's vital oil revenues and hindering its post-war economic recovery. Iraq's leadership, under Saddam Hussein, interpreted Kuwait's refusal to decrease its oil output as a deliberate act of economic aggression.

The international community responded with swift and unequivocal condemnation. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) immediately imposed comprehensive economic sanctions against Iraq, notably through resolutions such as UNSC Resolution 660, which condemned the invasion, and UNSC Resolution 661, which established the binding sanctions. In a unified front, then-British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and American President George H. W. Bush swiftly deployed troops and essential military equipment to Saudi Arabia, simultaneously urging other nations to contribute their forces to the burgeoning crisis. This urgent call to action garnered an unprecedented global response, leading to the formation of the largest military alliance since World War II. The vast majority of the coalition's military power emanated from the United States, while Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and Egypt notably stood out as the largest lead-up contributors, in that specific order. Demonstrating a significant commitment to the coalition's efforts, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia collectively bore approximately US$32 billion of the estimated US$60 billion total cost of the conflict.

The decisive military effort to expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait commenced on 17 January 1991, with a prolonged and extensive aerial and naval bombardment that persisted for five weeks. This intense air campaign, executed with remarkable precision, aimed to systematically degrade Iraq's military capabilities, destroy its command and control infrastructure, and soften its defenses in preparation for a ground assault. During this period, Iraq, under Saddam Hussein's command, initiated a campaign of missile launches, primarily using Scud missiles, targeting Israeli civilian populations and coalition forces stationed in Saudi Arabia. The strategic objective behind these attacks on Israel was to provoke an Israeli military retaliation, which Iraqi leadership hoped would fracture the multinational coalition by compelling its Muslim member states to withdraw, thereby jeopardizing the alliance against Iraq. However, this calculated gamble failed to yield the desired response, as Israel, urged by the United States, refrained from direct military retaliation to preserve the coalition's unity. Iraq continued its Scud missile attacks against coalition targets in Saudi Arabia, which were often intercepted by the newly deployed Patriot missile defense systems.

Following the successful aerial campaign, a concentrated ground assault, often referred to as the "100-hour ground war" or "Operation Desert Sabre" (the ground component of Desert Storm), was launched by the coalition into Iraqi-occupied Kuwait on 24 February 1991. This offensive proved to be an overwhelming and decisive victory for the coalition forces. Kuwait was swiftly liberated, and coalition troops rapidly advanced beyond the Iraq-Kuwait border into Iraqi territory. Remarkably, just 100 hours after the ground campaign began, the coalition halted its advance and declared a ceasefire, preventing a protracted occupation and adhering to the United Nations mandate. Aerial and ground combat operations were strictly confined to the geographical boundaries of Iraq, Kuwait, and the strategically vital areas straddling the Iraq-Saudi Arabia border.

The Gulf War left an indelible mark on military and media history. It notably heralded the introduction of live, unedited news broadcasts from the very front lines of conflict, primarily spearheaded by the American news network CNN. This unprecedented real-time coverage revolutionized war reporting and ushered in the era of the "24/7 news cycle," profoundly shaping public perception of warfare. The conflict also earned the evocative nickname "Video Game War," largely due to the daily televised broadcasts of high-precision images transmitted directly from cameras aboard American bombers during Operation Desert Storm, showcasing guided munitions striking their targets with apparent ease. Furthermore, the Gulf War gained significant notoriety for featuring three of the largest and most decisive tank battles in American military history, including the famed Battle of 73 Easting and the Battle of Norfolk, underscoring the scale and intensity of the ground engagements.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Gulf War

What were the primary reasons for Iraq's invasion of Kuwait?

Iraq's invasion of Kuwait was driven by a combination of factors, including its substantial debt to Kuwait from the Iran-Iraq War, Kuwait's elevated oil production that lowered global oil prices and negatively impacted Iraq's economy, and historical territorial claims.

How did the international community respond to the invasion?

The international community universally condemned the invasion. The United Nations Security Council swiftly imposed stringent economic sanctions on Iraq, and a broad, multinational coalition led by the United States was rapidly assembled to force Iraq's withdrawal.

What were the main phases of the Gulf War?

The Gulf War comprised two primary phases: Operation Desert Shield, focused on defensive troop buildup in Saudi Arabia, and Operation Desert Storm, which constituted the combat operations including the extensive aerial bombardment and the subsequent ground offensive to liberate Kuwait.

What was the significance of the "100-hour ground war"?

The "100-hour ground war" refers to the exceptionally rapid and decisive ground campaign launched by coalition forces. It was notable for its swift success, resulting in the liberation of Kuwait with minimal coalition casualties and concluding the major combat operations.

How did the Gulf War change media coverage of conflicts?

The Gulf War significantly transformed media coverage by introducing live, 24/7 news broadcasts directly from the front lines, most notably by CNN. This provided unprecedented real-time access to the conflict for global audiences, influencing public opinion and the concept of war reporting.