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Operation Desert Storm Timeline

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Operation Desert Shield

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1990-1991
Some wars are destined to be preludes for future conicts. However,
predictability, seeing over the horizon, is not likely in forecasting the results of
a war. Operation Desert Storm was not an exception to this rule. What
appeared to be a clean victory, in hindsight, proved to be merely an overture
for the opus that followed in 2003---same stage, same actors, same theme.
The signicance of Ancient Iraq, Babylonia, was resurrected by
European colonial powers from historys dust bin when Iraqs commercial
signicance was enhanced with the advent of oil. Until that time, it was a
backwater possession of the Ottoman Empire. Mesopotamia (the basin of the
Tigress and Euphrates Rivers, current Iraq) was no longer the personal
playground for archaeologists. The turning point, obscurity to signicance,
was another war--- World War 1whence our narrative begins.

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Background With Kuwait on Iraqs Collective Memory

(United Kingdom and Great Britain referenced below are synonymous.)
Anglo-Kuwaiti Treaty: Kuwait had been a semi autonomous provincial
sub-district of the Ottoman Empire for 400 years. The provincial capital
was Basra located in the south of current day Iraq close to the Kuwaiti
border and supercially administered its inhabitants. The Ottomans had
waning control over its three Mesopotamian provinces; Basra, Mosul and
Baghdad. Kuwaits geographical location had attracted the British since
1899
1799. Under the Anglo-Kuwaiti Treaty, the British sought to exempt other
commercial powers from Kuwaiti territory and by this treaty they dened
the borders of Kuwait and established a big brother relationship rather
than colonial control. One of its borders created its separation with
current day Iraq. Although the treaty was never concluded, its spirit was
pervasive and British commercial control assured.
Date

Anglo-Ottoman Convention: (British and Ottoman Turks) The Kuwaiti

borders were established consistent with its modern lines, but fell short of
1913 full independence.
Great Britain declares war on the Ottoman Empire, an ally of Germany
1914
already at war with the British.
British land ground forces on Mesopotamias Persian Gulf coast intending
to protect the southern oil elds and the defense of colonial India.
1915- Battle lines between opposing forces relatively stagnant.
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1916

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Secret Sykes-Picot Treaty: France and United Kingdom Allies agree that
Great Britain shall maintain control of southern Iraq and Palestine at the
end of hostilities. Territorial dispositions were substantively part of all
future treaties in the partitioning of the Ottoman Empire.

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British troops capture Baghdad.

1917

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1918

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Allies and the Ottoman Empire enter into an armistice agreement and
cessation of hostilities.
One month later, November 11, 1918, the Allies and Germany agree
upon an armistice.
French, in December, surrender their claim to northern Iraq to the British
in exchange for a quarter interest in the British Petroleum Company.
British military occupation of Mesopotamia is extended through 1920.

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Treaty of Versailles: Germany divested of all commercial interests in the

middle east and ceded all of its rights to the Tripartite Corporation (Great
1919 Britain, France and Italy). Great Britain gained large oil concessions.
San Remo Resolution: Britain and France agreed upon provisional
independence of Mesopotamia, and oil concessions in Mosul granted to
1920
the British. This division of the spoils effectively dissolved the Ottoman
Empire and formed basis for British Mandate.
Treaty of Sevres: this treaty conrmed the peace accord between
Ottoman Empire and Britain and France. It also addressed the
disposition of its provinces in Mesopotamia. (United States was not
invited.) Afrmed by Treaty of Lausanne in 1923 and all claims resolved.
Turkey to assume obligations of the Empire.
League of Nations creates a Class A Mandate of Mesopotamia to be held
by Great Britain for 12 years. (United States not a member nation.)
Iraqi Arab population revolts.
Kuwait considered an Iraqi province as possessed by Ottoman Empire.
Cairo Conference proposes creation of Kingdom of Iraq.
British mandate in Iraq effectively ended before it began with Anglo-Iraqi
1921 Treaty ceding administration to local control with Britain retaining foreign
and military presence for the country.
Faisal crowned King of Iraq, a puppet government dominated by the
British. This did not include Mosul province heavily populated with Kurds
who do not identify with Arab population in the south. Hashemite dynasty
established. Will resurface as the royal family of Jordan (1949).
Iraq immediately states that Kuwait is an Iraqi province as it was
historically under Ottoman rule. Iraq is almost totally a landlocked country
and Kuwait has an imposing natural harbor on the Persian Gulf.
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League of nations grants Britain Palestine Mandate.

1922
1923
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1924

British High Commissioner to Iraq agrees with Kuwaiti Sheik on border

lines with Iraq.
Kurds in Mosul Province revolt. Seek integration with Kurds in
neighboring Turkey.

Kingdom of Iraq grants 75 year oil concession to Turkish Petroleum

Company controlled by the British. In 1928, American interests in
1925
company at 25%. In 1929, company named changed to Iraqi Petroleum
Company.
Mosul Province made part of Kingdom of Iraq.
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Oil discovered in Mosul Province.

1927
1930

British recognize Kingdom of Iraqs independence, but retain military

presence.
Anglo-Iraq Treaty was a mutual assistance agreement with compatible

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foreign policies applicable to the middle east.

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British Oil Development Co. granted 75 year concession.

1932
Iraq applies for membership in League of Nations and granted. Mandate
ends.
Kung Faisal dies and succeeded by Khazi who retains a title without
1933
power until 1939.
1938 Kuwait discovers oil.
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1939

Iraq assembles a military force to invade Kuwait. British show of force

combined with the death of Faisal discourages the invasion.

During the 1930s, sectarian violence increases along with a series of

military coups accompanied with demands for British to leave.
Iraq government sympathetic with Nazi Germany. World not as yet at
1941
war.
Iraq besieges British airbase and Britain responds and bombs Iraqi
forces. End of threat.
World War 2 commences for the United States.
Operation Formation of the Baath Party in Syria with an ideology dedicated to Arab
Desert
Storm unity (Pan Arabism) and socialism. In 1961, a cell forms an Iraqi branch.
1947 By 1966, Iraqi unit splits with the older Syrian branch.
A monarchy which existed in name only is extinguished and a Republic is
1958
formed.
The Free Ofcer Movement under General Abd al-Kasim Qasim attains
control of Iraq. Assumed ofce as 1st Chairman of the Revolutionary
Command. Saddam Hussein a rising gure. The Party turns from Pan
Arabism to Iraq First Party.
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1961

Iraq again threatens to invade Kuwait. Presence of British forces

discourages the invasion.

General Qasim overthrown. Baath party loses power. National guard is

dissolved and replaced by Republican guard. Although out of power, the
1963
party continues to grow and Saddam Hussein gains stature in the party
ranks.
17 July Revolution another coup and General Qasim appointed Premier
of Iraq, 1st Chairman of Revolutionary Command Council and Saddam
Hussein appointed Deputy chairman and vice president and commands
1968
the security forces.
Saddam Hussein embarks on a nationalization program including oil and
other industries. Brutal repression of a Shia majority and genocide of a
1970Kurdish minority population in a systematic program to eliminate potential
1979
enemies. With large oil revenues, Saddam expended large sums to
modernize Iraq.
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Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikrit becomes 5th President of Iraq

(1979-2006).
United States places Iraq on its international Terror List.
Iraq-Iran war drains the resources of each country. United States
1980supports Iraq as does Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. In 1982, Iraq removed
1981
from Terror List.
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait will not forgive Iraqs war loans and refuse
Saddams request who was dealing with insolvency in the aftermath of
the long Iranian war. Saddam claims that his war with Iran beneted
Kuwait and Saudi Arabia from Iranian aggression which obligated them
to contribute to cost of the war.
Saddam begins systematic campaign against Kuwait and United Arab
Emirates to reduce oil production which is reducing price of oil in world
markets. Saddam demands carry over into 1990 and he calls it
economic war.
George H.W. Bush elected 41st President of the United States (19891993).
OPERATION DESERT STORM 1990-1991
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Iraq is almost completely land locked. It has a sliver of land, mostly

swamp, at the head of the Persian Gulf. Neighboring Kuwait, on the other
hand, has a geographical advantage on the Gulf with a large natural
harbor.
Saddam continues to insist that Kuwait cut back on oil production and
1990 accuses them of slant drilling across their border into Iraqi oil elds.
May (Studies afterward reveal the possibility that the allegations were
accurate.)
July Iraq masses troops on the Kuwaiti border.
Aug 2 Iraq invades Kuwait and completes take-over in 2 days.
Aug 2United Nations Security Council reacts and passes
Resolution 660: condemning the invasion and demanding
withdrawal
Resolution 661: imposing an embargo on Iraq.
Aug 9Resolution 662:Iraqi annexation of Kuwait declared null and
void.
Aug 18Resolution 664:Demands release of all foreigners.
Aug 25Resolution 665:Naval blockade closes shipping to and from
Iraq and Kuwait.
Sept 13Resolution 666:Issues guidelines for humanitarian aid.
Sept 18Resolution 667:Demands protection for diplomats.
Nov 29Resolution 678:to use all necessary means to effect Iraqi
withdrawal in the event Iraq failed to comply
with all prior resolutions by Jan 15,1991.
(force inferred)
Mar 21:Resolution 686Demands Iraq to cease all hostilities.
Saddam threatens Israel with retaliatory use of unconventional weapons
in the event of attack on Iraq from any source.
5 President Bush referring to Iraqi invasion states: This will not stand.
6

7
8

Saudi Arabia fearing Iraqi invasion on its soil requests U.S. aid. General
Schwarzkopf, assessing the situation, believes that the Saudis have the
capability of a strong defense although acknowledges difculty. Iraq has
battle tested troops after long war with Iran.
Operation Desert Shield: United States troops destined for Saudi Arabia
where they create military base. This phase to limit exposure of
Americans to defense of Saudi Arabia.
Saddam Hussein annexes Kuwait and makes it 19th province of Iraq.

22

President Bush calls up reserves.

British and French troops dispatched to Saudi Arabia. Coalition of forces
Sept
consisting of western nations and Arab countries (Egypt, Saudi Arabia)
Oct
General Colin Powell, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff meets with
21
counterparts in Saudi Arabia.
President Bush reviews reports and doubles troop strength to 500,000 in
31
Saudi Arabia.
1991 U.S. Congress, by a slim margin, authorizes use of force in a War
Jan
Powers Joint Resolution approving invasion of Kuwait and Iraq. Lingering
12
memories of Vietnam produced a strong minority vote.
Operation Desert Storm: U.S. commences bombing to destroy Iraqi air
defenses including Baghdad as well as accompanied by naval missile
17
strikes at strategic targets. 1,000 sorties per day destroys infra structure
of Iraq.
Iraqi Scud missile strikes Tel Aviv, Israel. A total of 39 Iraqi missile
attacks on Israel in the course of the war. President Bush dispatched
Deputy Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger to convince Israel to
18
forgo retaliation on Iraq in order to preserve the U.S. backed coalition of
forces. Arab nations will not participate if Israel is involved. Israel agrees.
U.S. furnished Israel with defensive Patriot missiles not overly effective.
Iraq commences to destroy Kuwaiti oil elds. Dumps oil into the Persian
22
gulf.
29 Iraqi forces invade Saudi territory. U.S. Marines and Saudis engage Iraq
at Khafji and after 2 days Iraq withdraws from Saudi soil.
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General Schwarzkopf disapproves of plan for sea landing on Kuwaiti

shores while air war continues.
King Hussein of Jordan objects to U.S. heavy bombardment of
6
neighboring Iraq.
Iraq proposes withdrawal of forces from Kuwait. President Bush rejects
15
offer seeking an unconditional surrender.
22 President bush issues ultimatum to Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait.
24 U.S. ground attack commences in Kuwait and Iraq.
26 Iraq retreats from Kuwait City.
28 President Bush declares a cease re.
Mar 2 U.S. 24th Infantry Division destroys Iraqi Hammurabi Division.
3 Iraq accepts cease re.
5 Iraqis release all prisoners of war.
U.S. troops leave for home.12 years later (2003) the troops return.
8
History is repeated in the fateful month of March.
Part of the surrender terms leaves Iraqi with defensive helicopter gun
ships which they unleash on Shia and Kurds. Kuwait expels from its
country 400,000 Palestinians. In 2006, Iraq nally recognizes Kuwaiti
borders.
Feb 2

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