Digital Artifact Project - Century of War
Gulf War
(August 2, 1990-February 28, 1991)
- November 29, 1990, UN Security Council authorized use of force against the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, if they did not withdraw by its set deadline.
- On January 17, 1991, a massive air-war began with coalition forces leading airstrikes against Iraqi positions.
- The "Gulf War" introduced new battlefield technologies, including: Stealth bombers, "Smart bombs", cruise missles, and GPS systems, among other technologies.
- By mid-February, the shift from air-attacks to ground offensives was beginning.
- February 28, President Bush declared a cease-fire.
- Under the cease-fire terms, Iraq recognized Kuwait as a sovereign nation, and Iraq would destroy all its weapons of mass destruction.
- Heavy losses were inflicted on Iraq's military compared to 300 losses on the coalition side.