We went over the South America map.
Persian Gulf War:
- August 2, 1990-February 28, 1991
- Codenamed Operation desert storm(January 7, 1991-February 28, 1991)
- It was a war waged by a UN-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the U.S.
- The war started when Iraq invaded and annexed Kuwait
- Goal for UN: Free Kuwait from Iraqi control
Why did Iraq invade Kuwait:
1. Iraq was bankrupt after the war with Iran, with most of its debt owed to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait
- Iraq pressured both nations to forgive the debts, but they refused.
2. Iraq accused Kuwait producing too much oil and driving down it's price, hurting the Iraq economy.
3. Iraq claimed that Kuwait was a territory of Iraq.
4. Iraq claimed that Kuwait was drilling for oil across the border into Iraq's oil fields.
UN Reaction:
- UN condemned the invasion and demanded an immediate withdrawal of Iraqi troops
- UN authorized a naval blockade to enforce the economic sanctions against Iraq
- UN gave Iraq until January 15, 1991 to withdraw from Kuwait
- After deadline, UN could use "all necessary means" to force Iraq out of Kuwait.
Operation Desert Shield:
- US troops were sent to Saudi Arabia to prevent an Iraq invasion
Aftermath:
- By March, 1991, 540,000 US troops began to move out of the Persian Gulf Area
- Saddam Hussein was allowed to remain in power
- Coalition killed: 392
- Iraq killed: 20,000-35,000
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