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A Decade Later: Kuwait Free, Iraq Isolated

Linda D. Kozaryn, American Forces Press Service
August 8, 2000

Nearly a decade after Operation Desert Storm, the fight against Iraqi aggression is not over, but defense officials say U.S. and coalition forces have successfully contained Saddam Hussein and maintained stability in the region.

The situation in Kuwait and Iraq today highlight the fundamental accomplishment of the past decade, according to Pentagon spokesman Ken Bacon. "Kuwait is free. It's rebuilt. It has a thriving economy," he said. "Iraq is contained. It has a broken economy. It is an isolated state."

Although Hussein persists in violating the no-fly zones and other U.N. sanctions, Pentagon officials say military efforts to contain Iraqi aggression have been successful. Each day, U.S. and coalition air forces patrol U.N.-mandated no-fly zones over north and south Iraq.

U.S. pilots have flown more than 200,000 sorties since Operation Southern Watch began in August 1992 and more than 32,400 patrolling the southern no-fly zone since Operation Desert Fox in December 1998. U.S. fighters have flown more than 16,000 sorties over northern Iraq since Operation Northern Watch began in January 1997.

Coalition pilots act only in self defense, responding to Iraqi threats, defense officials said. If Iraq were to cease its threats, coalition strikes would cease as well. U.S. officials estimate the strikes have degraded Iraq's air defense system by about 30 percent.

Coalition naval forces enforcing U.N. embargoes on oil and technology have stepped up maritime intercept operations in the Persian Gulf in response to increased smuggling activity. DoD officials say coalition forces query all ships sailing north of the 29th parallel.

Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait Aug. 2, 1990, taking control of nearly a quarter of the world's oil supply. The U.N. Security Council condemned the invasion and set a deadline for Iraq's withdrawal -- Jan. 15, 1991.

When Iraq held firm and the deadline passed, the United States and its allies united to drive them out, gathering a force of about 500,000 troops, 3,400 tanks, 3,700 artillery, 4,000 armored personnel carriers, 2,000 helicopters and 2,600 aircraft.

On Jan. 16, coalition forces launched 38 days of continuous air attacks. Ground operations began Feb. 24. After only four days of ground combat, President George Bush called a cease-fire on Feb. 27. The Gulf War was over.

U.S. officials estimate more than 100,000 Iraqi soldiers died, and 300,000 were wounded. The United States suffered 148 killed in action, 121 killed in nonhostile actions and 458 wounded.

The Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm Timeline

• Iraq invades Kuwait, Aug. 2, 1990.

• Operation Desert Shield begins, Aug. 7.

• First U.S. forces (F-15 Eagle fighters from Langley Air Force Base, Va.) arrive in Saudi Arabia, Aug. 7.

• First Operation Desert Shield-related U.S. death, Aug. 12.

• President George Bush authorizes first call-up of Selected Reservists to active duty for 90 days, by executive order, Aug. 22. (Call-up widened in subsequent authorizations; period of service extended to 180 days on Nov. 12 by executive order.)

• Operation Desert Storm and air war phase begins, 3 a.m., Jan. 17, 1991 (Jan. 16, 7 p.m. Eastern time).

• Iraq attacks Israel with seven Scud missiles, Jan. 17.

• U.S. Patriot missile successfully intercepts first Scud, over Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 17.

• President Bush authorizes the call-up of up to 1 million National Guardsmen and Reservist for up to two years, Jan. 18.

• DoD announces deployment of Europe-based Patriot missiles and crews to Israel, Jan. 19.

• Iraq creates massive oil slick in gulf, Jan. 25.

• Iraqis attack Khafji, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 29.

• Iraq captures first U.S. female prisoner of war, Jan. 31.

• Award of the National Defense Service Medal authorized, Feb. 21.

• Iraqis ignite estimate 700 oil wells in Kuwait, Feb. 23.

• Allied ground assault begins, 4 a.m., Feb 24 (Feb. 23, 8 p.m. Eastern time).

• Iraqi Scud destroys U.S. barracks in Dhahran, killing 28 U.S. soldiers, Feb. 25.

• Cessation of hostilities declared, 8:01 a.m., Feb. 28 (12:01 a.m. Eastern).

• Cease-fire terms negotiated in Safwan, Iraq, March 1.

• DoD announces first troop redeployment home, March l7 (24th Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.)

• Award of the Southwest Asia Service medal authorized, March 13.

• President Bush announces U.S. relief supply airdrops to Kurdish refugees in Turkey and northern Iraq, April 5.

• Iraq officially accepts cease-fire terms, April 6.

• Task Force Provide Comfort forms and deploys, April 6.

• U.S. transports deliver 72,000 pounds of supplies in first six Operation Provide Comfort missions, April 7.

• Cease-fire takes effect, April 11.

• Construction of first Provide Comfort tent city begins near Zakhu, Iraq, April 20.

• U.N. commission assumes responsibility for Kurdish refugees, June 7.

Fast Facts About Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm Air Deployment Missions: 18,466, as of June 7, 1991 3,980 by C-5 Galaxy transports 9,085 by C-141 Starlifter transports 1,193 by C-130 Hercules transports 395 by KC-10 Extender aerial refuelers 3,813 by Civil Reserve Air Fleet carriers 509,129 passengers and 594,730 tons of cargo carried U.S. casualties: 148 battle deaths, 145 nonbattle deaths Army: 98 battle; 105 nonbattle Navy 6 battle; 8 nonbattle Marines: 24 battle; 26 nonbattle Air Force: 20 battle; 6 nonbattle Women killed, 15 U.S. wounded in action: 467. U.S. Commanders, U.S. Central Command, Operation Desert Storm Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, USA, commander in chief Lt. Gen. Calvin Waller, USA, deputy commander in chief Maj. Gen. Robert B. Johnston, USMC, chief of staff Lt. Gen. John J. Yeosock, USA, Army commander Lt. Gen. Walter Boomer, USMC, Marine commander Vice Adm. Stanley Arthur, USN, Navy commander Lt. Gen. Charles Horner, USAF, Air Force commander Allied Combat Air Sorties Flown: More than 116,000 Coalition Aircraft Losses: 75 (63 U.S., 12 Allied) Fixed wing, 37 combat, 15 noncombat U.S. losses, 28 combat, 12 noncombat No U.S. losses in air-to-air engagements Helicopters, 23 (all U.S.): 5 combat, 18 noncombat Estimated Iraqi Losses: (Reported by U.S. Central Command, March 7, 1991) 36 fixed-wing aircraft in air-to-air engagements 6 helicopters in air-to-air engagements 68 fixed- and 13 rotary-wing aircraft destroyed on the ground 137 Iraqi aircraft flown to Iran 3,700 of 4,280 battle tanks 2,400 of 2,870 assorted other armored vehicles 2,600 of 3,110 assorted artillery pieces 19 naval ships sunk, 6 damaged 42 divisions made combat-ineffective Enemy prisoners of war captured: U.S. forces released 71,204 to Saudi control. Facts About Operation Provide Comfort (Relief to Kurdish refugees in eastern Turkey and northern Iraq): Operation conducted by U.S. European Command, Army Lt. Gen. John M. Shalikashvili commanding. 11,936 U.S. personnel engaged at peak, May 21, 1991. Total allied coalition personnel involved at peak, 21,701. Relief supplies delivered: 4,416.6 tons by ground transports and 12,683.2 tons in 3,901 air sorties. Maximum Kurdish refugee count in tent cities, 57,350, May 24, 1991. U.S. relief: 4.79 million prepackaged ration meals and 2,687.5 tons of bulk food; 200,717 gallons of water; 211,788 blankets; and 23,500 tents.

U.N. Security Council Resolutions Against Iraq Resolution 660, Aug. 2, 1990: Condemns Iraqi invasion of Kuwait (Vote 14-0-1 abstention). Resolution 661, Aug. 6: Imposes economic sanctions against Iraq (13-0-2). Resolution 662, Aug. 9: Declares Iraqi annexation of Kuwait null and void, (15-0). Resolution 664, Aug. 18: Calls for the immediate release of foreigners from Iraq and Kuwait (15-0). Resolution 665, Aug. 25: Authorizes the use of force to halt maritime shipping to and from Iraq (13-0-2). Resolution 666, Sept. 13: Establishes guidelines for humanitarian aid to Iraq and Kuwait (13-0-2). Resolution 667, Sept. 16: Condemns Iraq and demands protection of diplomatic personnel (15-0). Resolution 669, Sept. 24: Authorizes examination of requirements for economic assistance under U.N. Article 50 (15-0). Resolution 670, Sept. 25: Condemns Iraq and confirms economic embargo, including air (14-1). Resolution 674, Oct. 29: Condemns Iraq and calls for release of third-country nationals and provision of food (13-0-2). Resolution 677, Nov. 28: Condemns Iraqi attempts to alter Kuwaiti demographics, (15-0). Resolution 678, Nov. 29: Authorizes the use of force to uphold resolutions unless Iraq withdraws by Jan. 15, 1991, deadline (12-2-1). Resolution 686, March 2, 1991: Demands Iraq cease all hostile action as and abide by resolutions (11-1-3). Resolution 687, April 3: Sets forth permanent cease-fire (12-1-2). The U.N. Security Council has passed numerous resolutions in the ensuing years that stem from Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

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