Gulf War, 1990–1991

The Gulf War began when Iraq invaded and annexed Kuwait in August 1990. The United Nations condemned the invasion, imposed sanctions and authorised force after a deadline for withdrawal, while a United States-led coalition assembled in Saudi Arabia.

A major air campaign began in January 1991, followed by a short ground offensive that expelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait. The coalition stopped without removing Saddam Hussein’s government, and ceasefire arrangements imposed inspections and restrictions on Iraq.

The war demonstrated new surveillance, airpower and precision-strike capabilities while producing civilian suffering, environmental damage and a continuing Western military presence in the Gulf.