Gulf War

Gulf War. . The Gulf War (A.K.A. Persian Gulf War, first Iraq War, Liberation of Kuwait) consisted of Operation Desert Shield from 2 August 1990 to 16 January 1991 for operations leading to the build up of troops and defense of Saudi Arabia; and Operation Desert Storm from 17 January 1991 to 28 February 1991 - the combat phase. This war was waged by coalition forces from 34 nations led by the United States against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait. Saddam Hussein Iraqi Army's occupation of Kuwait on 2 August 1990 was met with international condemnation. President George HW Bush deployed United States forces into Saudi Arabia. After the military buildup, the war to expel Iraqi troops from Kuwait began with an aerial and naval bombardment on 17 January 1991, continuing for five weeks. The ground assault started on 24 February 1991 and ended on 28 February 1991. This was a decisive victory for coalition forces, who liberated Kuwait and advanced into Iraqi territory. The coalition ceased its advance and declared a cease-fire 100 hours after the ground campaign started. Iraq had launched Scud missiles against Israel and Saudi Arabia. Although the Gulf War was initially considered to be and unqualified success for the international coalition, simmering conflict in the troubled region led to a second Gulf War that began in 2003, known as the Iraq War. United States Forces sustained 148 battle related deaths and 145 non-combat deaths (293 total fatalities), and 467 wounded.