Persian Gulf War, 1991 - American Wars - TimeLines of Liberty

TimeLines of Liberty
American Wars - Persian Gulf

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(2nd Persian Gulf War) The Persian Gulf War (Gulf War I)
1991
Last updated August, 2005.

Pre-war 1988-1989-1990 - The War 1991
Post War-1992-1993-1994-1995-1996-1997-1998-1999
Dates may be off by one day depending upon whether Eastern Standard Time or Saudi time.
Gulf War Statistics - Military Poetry

1988

May

Dismayed by the increased use of chemical warfare between Iraq and Iran, U.N. Resolution 612 was passed on May 9th, condemning both Iraq and Iran for the continued use of chemical weapons in the conflict between the two countries.

1988

Mar.

Iraqi government forces use a Weapon of Mass Destruction on the Iraqi Kurdish town of Halabja on March 16th. The poison gas attack caused a casualty count that may be as high as 7,000. Chemical agents used include mustard gas and the nerve agents Sarin, Tabun, and VX. The chemical attack is the largest against a civilian population in modern times.

1988

Aug.

U.N. Resolution 619, August 9th, establishes the United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group.

1988

Aug.

U.N. Resolution 620, August 26th, condemns the use of chemical warfare by both countries of the Iran-Iraq conflict.

1989

Feb.

U.N. Resolution 631, February 8, extends the mandate of the United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group for nearly 8 months.

1989

Oct.

National Security Directive 26 (NSD-26) the U.S. Policy Toward the Persian Gulf was signed by President George H. W. Bush on October 3rd. The directive states, "The United States should propose economic and political incentives for Iraq to moderate its behavior and to increase our influence."

1990

Mar.

British journalist, Farzad Bazoft is hung in Iraq. He was accused of spying.

1990

Mar.

U.N. Resolution 651, March 29, 1990, extends the mission of the United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group for six months.

1990

Apr.

In April Saddam Hussein states in an announcement Iraq would, "make the fire eat up half of Israel."

1990

Jul.

Saddam Hussein accuses Kuwait of theft of oil from the Rumailia Oil Field and of overproduction of oil, on July 17th.

1990

Jul.

On July 24th, Secretary of the Navy Lawrence Garrett tells a congressional committee, "our ships in the Persian Gulf were at a 'heightened state of vigilance,' " Later his spokesman claims Garrett made a mistake.

1990

Jul.

State Department spokeswoman Margaret Tutweiler states on July 24th, "we do not have any defense treaties with Kuwait, and there are no special defense or security commitments to Kuwait."

1990

Jul.

"We have no opinion on the Arab-Arab conflicts, like your border disagreement with Kuwait." U.S. Ambassador April Glaspie speaking in a meeting with Saddam Hussein on July 25th. Some people have believed this statement was a "green light" to Saddam with plans to invade Kuwait the next week.

1990

Jul.

The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee is told by Assistant Secretary of State John Kelly, on July 30, that the U. S. has no obligation to aid Kuwait, should an invasion by Iraqi forces occur.

1990

Jul.

A meeting in the "tank" (Joint Chief of Staff's secure conference room) on July 31st was chaired by General Colin Powell to discuss the situation. The Defense Intelligence Agency insisted an Iraqi attack was imminent. Lt. Gen. Thomas Kelly (director of operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff) states, "They're not going to invade. This is a shakedown." General Norman Schwarzkopf had been told by a senior Kuwaiti military official that Kuwait was not going on alert to not, "play Saddam's game and give him an excuse to attack." The consensus among the key leaders was that Saddam was only bluffing.

1990

Jul.

During the night of July 31st Iraqi tankers fueled, preparing for the push into Kuwait. When dawn breaks they begin rolling towards Kuwait.

1990

Aug.

By August the U.S. Air Force will have purchased 59 F-117 stealth aircraft.

1990

Aug.

Col. John Mooneyham (chief of the U.S. military liaison office in Kuwait) receives a phone call at 11 p.m. on August 1st. Westinghouse Company civilian contractors observe, on radar, a massive armor formation heading towards the Kuwaiti border.

1990

Aug.

Iraqi forces under orders of Saddam Hussein invade Kuwait on August 2nd, just after midnight.

1990

Aug.

In the early hours of August 2nd, the Tawakalna mechanized and Hammurabi armored divisions of the Iraqi Republican Guard attacked along Highway 6 that leads from Safwan. The Medina armored division heads west through the Rumaylah oil fields.

1990

Aug.

Another early August 2nd morning attack was executed by Iraqi warships firing upon Kuwait City. Helicopters and small craft are used by Iraqi special forces commandos to assault the city, attacking government buildings and the emir's Dasman and Bayan palaces.

1990

Aug.

Daybreak of August 2nd allows the Iraqi MiG-23 Flogger and Su-25 Frogfoot jets their attack on the two Kuwaiti airfields. In the space of five hours after the border crossing the Iraqi forces had secured Kuwait City.

1990

Aug.

About the mid-day of August 2nd elements of the Kuwait 35th brigade is pushed into the neutral zone of Saudi Arabia by the Iraqi forces. It is later revealed that many feared the Iraqi invasion of Saudi Arabia.

1990

Aug.

The U.N. Security Council adopts Resolution 660 on August 2nd, 1990, condemning Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and demands the withdrawal of Iraqi troops. It was passed by the U.N. Security Council with a vote of 14 to 0.

1990

Aug.

Iraqi military leaders failed to consider the one-hour time difference between Kuwait City and Baghdad which contributed to the botching of the plans to capture the Kuwait royal family. The senior royal family members had escaped to Saudi Arabia.

1990

Aug.

On August 3rd Kuwait Air Force (KAF) A-4Q Skyhawk and French Mirage F1 pilots had been flying sorties against the Iraqi units. After their bases had been over ran they retreat to Saudi Arabia and Bahraiin.

1990

Aug.

U.N. Security Council Resolution 661, August 7th, Responds to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, ordering a world wide trade embargo against Iraq. Iraq is barred from selling oil on the international market.

1990

Aug.

Secretary of Defense Cheney visits Saudi Arabia on August 7th.

1990

Aug.

The 82nd Airborne and several fighter squadrons are dispatched to the gulf on August 7th.

1990

Aug.

Having not mentioned the use of force the Soviet Union claimed the U.N. Charter and Resolution 661 lacked authority to do more than compel voluntary compliance.

1990

Aug.

On August 8th Iraq annexes Kuwait.

1990

Aug.

U.N. Resolution 662, August 9, 1990, "Demanding once again that Iraq withdraw immediately and unconditionally all its forces to the positions in which they were located on 1 August 1990." It also declares the annexation of Kuwait by Iraq invalid.

1990

Aug.

On August 11th the first seven B-52G bombers from Loring Air Force Base in Maine, sent by the Strategic Air Command, arrived at Diego Garcia airbase in the Indian Ocean with full conventional weapons loads. By August 16th the Strategic Air Command will have dispatched 20 B-52G bombers to the war theater.

1990

Aug.

General Colin Powell issues the first order to "quarantine" on August 11th. Hours later the orders are changed to "interception." General Schwarzkopf orders Operation Stigma, a maritime interception operation.

1990

Aug.

An interdiction of Iraqi shipping program is announced by the U.S. on August 12th.

1990

Aug.

Operation Stigma commences on August 17th.

1990

Aug.

The USS England intercepts two cargo ships, the Al Abid and the Al Bayaa, in the Persian Gulf on August 17th. General Schwarzkopf allows two "empty" cargo ships to continue to Iraq. Schwarzkopf is called by General Colin Powell and is reprimanded for disobeying orders. Schwarzkopf replies with, "Now that you've made it clear what you want, the next tanker that comes through, we'll blow it away."

1990

Aug.

On August 18th the first shots of Operation Desert Shield are fired.

1990

Aug.

U.N. Resolution 664, August 18th, 1990, requires Iraq allow "third-State nationals access to their consulates and that Iraq take no action against such persons.

1990

Aug.

Among interceptions of Iraqi ships on late August 18th the frigate USS Reid intercepts an Iraqi tanker, the Khaniqin, while in Iranian waters. With confirmation to disable the civilian ship Vice Adm. Henry H. Mauz tells Schwarzkopf he will wait until morning to avoid a night engagement. President Bush decides to allow the Khaniqin to continue and then the .

1990

Aug.

Interception operations are suspended on August 19th with frantic diplomatic activity following.

1990

Aug.

The first squadron of stealth bombers, numbering 18 F-117s, are deployed to King Khalid Air Base at Khamis Mushait on August 21st.

1990

Aug.

The Armed Services Surgeons General agrees with intelligence assessments that U.S. forces should be vaccinated against the biological weapons Iraq had engineered which, it was believed, included anthrax.

1990

Aug.

The Call up of the Reserves is authorized by President Bush on August 22nd.

1990

Aug.

Beginning August 23rd Navy SEALs conduct nightly patrols along the Kuwaiti shores. SEAL platoons and Saudi naval commandos will have maintained a continual presence north of Al-Khafji, near the Kuwaiti border, by October.

1990

Aug.

U.N. Resolution 665 is approved on August 25th authorizing the enforcement of the sanction of Resolution 661 using, "...such measures commensurate to the specific circumstances as may be necessary under the authority of the Security Council to halt all inward and outward maritime shipping...."

1990

Aug.

Gen. Schwarzkopf issued an order on August 30 that places restrictions on the troops to accommodate Islamic Law and Arabic customs. Instructions were given to remove any religious insignia in the presence of Saudi personnel. Worship services were held in secret behind closed doors away form Saudi citizens.

1990

Sep.

On September 5th Salman Pak was identified in the New York Times as Iraq's biological weapons facility. It would later be speculated that Salman Pak would be a target for an air attack by allied forces.

1990

Sep.

The last special operations AC-130 gunship, with 962 fixed-wing aircraft and over 1000 helicopters, arrives on September 12th at King Fahd airport in Saudi Arabia.

1990

Sep.

U.N. Resolution 666, September 13, 1990, addresses humanitarian concerns expecting "... Iraq to comply with its obligations under resolution 664..."

1990

Sep.

Several diplomatic missions in Kuwait City are stormed on September 14th, by Iraqi forces.

1990

Sep.

CIA Director William Webster publicly acknowledged in September, Iraq had a "sizable stockpile" of biological weapons.

1990

Sep.

U.N. Resolution 667, September 16, 1990, invokes the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (April 18, 1963) in condemning Iraq for the closures of the diplomatic and consular missions in Kuwait and withdrawing the privileges and immunities of the missions and their personnel.

1990

Sep.

The ground war offensive planning began on September 18th under the cloak of secrecy.

1990

Sep.

U.N. Resolution 669, September 24, 1990, pertains to a request by the Jordanian Government for relief from effects of the implementation of resolution 661.

1990

Sep.

U.N. Resolution 670, September 25, 1990 pertains to flights and shipping and rights of nations to inspect those in route to Iraq or Kuwait passing through their territorial waters or airspace.

1990

Sep.

U.N. Resolution 671, September 27, 1990, extends the mission of the U.N. Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group for two months.

1990

Oct.

Secretary Cheney (later becomes Vice President Cheney) abandons efforts, on October 2nd, to gain permission to base B-52s in the Gulf. Many Gulf countries did not want any symbol of America's nuclear arsenal in their country. Saudi Arabia eventually allows the B-52 bombers to be based at Jeddah but that the deployment be kept secret and the aircraft not be delivered until the air attack begins.

1990

Oct.

Unverified reports say that Saddam Hussein visited Kuwait City on October 3rd and orders the execution of renegade soldiers who pillaged and plundered without authorization.

1990

Oct.

Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf at his Central Command headquarters in Riyadh on October 6th receives a phone call from General Colin Powell informing of the need for a briefing on the state of offensive planning for Iraq.

1990

Oct.

At the White House on October 11th, President Bush is briefed on the ground and air efforts, by Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Robert Johnston, Schwarzkopf's chief of staff, and Brig. Gen. Buster Glosson, head of the Black Hole. This meeting generated the "left hook" ground offensive and the deploying of the VII Corps of the U.S. Army from Europe.

1990

Oct.

Secretary Cheney orders development of options for an attack in western Iraq. These plans emphasized the concentration on fixed and mobile Scud missile launches.

1990

Oct.

U.N. Resolution 674, October 29, 1990, again reiterates the condemnation of the invasion of Kuwait and Demands Iraqi forces stop taking third-State nationals hostage and "the mistreating and oppressing Kuwaiti and third-State nationals..."

1990

Oct.

Tom Foley, House Speaker presents President Bush a letter on October 31st, signed by 81 democrats. Raising concerns of an imminent offensive they write, "We believe the consequences would be catastrophic, resulting in the massive loss of lives, including 10,000-50,000 Americans." They also stated they were, "emphatically opposed to any offensive military action."

1990

Oct.

At a White House meeting on October 31st President Bush approves a deployment of the Army's VII Corp from Europe. He decides to wait until after the congressional elections to make it public.

1990

Nov.

The deploying of the VII Corps of the U.S. Army from Europe is announced on November 8th, to give an "offensive option" to U.S. forces.

1990

Nov.

Public Opinion had been divided over the war; after President Bush's announcement to double the forces in in the Gulf, his approval rating dropped to its lowest point. Those closer to the conflict were much more supportive of action against Iraq than the public who were not privy to all that led up to and continued the conflict.

1990

Nov.

The Kuwaiti resistance, by November, was finding itself contained by the Iraqi occupying forces. This limited Special Operations Forces forces attempts to organize the resistance movement inside Kuwait.

1990

Nov.

The U.N. Security Council Resolution 678 is passed on November 11th, ordering Saddam to withdraw Iraqi forces from Kuwait and free all hostages by January 15th, 1991. The order authorized military intervention if Iraq did not comply.

1990

Nov.

During a CNN interview, on November 16th President Bush says, "I am going to preserve all options."

1990

Nov.

In Washington D.C. 45 Democrats file a law suit, on November 20th, to require the President to seek Congressional approval prior to ordering military operations; the suit is eventually thrown out of court.

1990

Nov.

On Thanksgiving President Bush visited the Troops in Saudi Arabia and states, "Those who would measure the timetable for Saddam Hussein's atomic weapons program in years may be underestimating the reality of the situation and the gravity of the threat," continuing his address to the soldiers, "Every day that passes brings Saddam one step closer to realizing his goal of a nuclear weapons arsenal, and that's why more and more, your mission is marked by a real sense of urgency."

1990

Nov.

U.N. Resolution 676, November 28, 1990, extends the mission of the United Nations Iran-iraq Military Observer Group for two months.

1990

Nov.

U.N. Resolution 677, November 28, 1990. condemns Iraq for attempts "to alter the demographic composition of Kuwait and to destroy the civil records maintained by the legitimate Government of Kuwait."

1990

Nov.

Final authorization is given by the UN Security Council in Resolution 678 on November 29th, to use force should Iraq fail to withdraw from Kuwait by midnight EST January 15 (8 a.m. Saudi time).

1990

Nov.

President Bush on November 30th, invites Tariq Aziz to Washington D.C. offering to send Secretary of State James Baker to Baghdad.

1990

Dec.

A Scud missile is test launched on December 2nd, the first since the Iraqi invasion. Three missiles were launched from Al Amarah New Airfield, south of Baghdad half way to Basra.

1990

Dec.

The Iraqi Air Force fly 209 sorties with one being a reconnaissance mission looking for the possibility of Israeli and coalition activity as a result of the Iraqi test launches of Scud missiles.

1990

Dec.

A second squadron of stealth aircraft, numbering 20 F-117s, is deployed to Saudi Arabia on December 3rd.

1990

Dec.

President Bush's concentration on the potential threat of Saddam's nuclear weapons eased some public concerns as reflected in a USA Today poll released on December 3rd showing Bush's approval rating had climbed 6 points from the previous week.

1990

Dec.

The last of 59 stealth (F-117) aircraft is delivered in early December.

1990

Dec.

Iraq's highest level of sorties since the invasion has Saddam's air warriors flying 213 sorties

1990

Dec.

Sometime in December President Bush had privately decided not to retaliate with nuclear weapons even if Saddam used chemical munitions. Secretary of State James Baker later says, "There was obviously no reason to inform the Iraqis of this."

1990

Dec.

The bio-defense vaccine plan is approved on December 19th by Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney. Special Operations Forces are the first to receive the inoculations as they were administered on a priority basis beginning on January 17, 1991.

1990

Dec.

The final war council of Desert Shield is held on December 20th when Saudi Arabia military commanders sit down with Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Colin Powell, and Under Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz.

1990

Dec.

Plans for a second front, the preliminary operations order for Combined Joint Task Force Proven Force, is completed on December 21st.

1991 The War

1991

Jan.

Baker and Aziz meet for 6 hours in Geneva with no results.

1991

Jan.

A resolution is passed by the U.S. Congress on January 12th that authorizes President Bush to use military force to repel Iraq from Kuwait.

1991

Jan.

President Bush gathers a coalition of nations to help in the enforcement of the U.N. Resolution 678. Saudi Arabia allows a U.S. led Coalition Base to be set up within its borders.

1991

Jan.

The United Nations deadline for the Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait expired on January 15th, with its being ignored by Saddam Hussein. President Bush begins preparing for the start of Operation Desert Storm.

1991

Jan.

Seven B-52 bombers take off from Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana on January 16th, for a 35-hour, 14,000-mile flight (the longest in Air Force history) to Iraq.

1991

Day 1

The U.S. Government makes the first statement of Operation Desert Storm.

1991

Jan. 17

Operation Desert Storm air attacks begin at 3am in Iraq on January 17. Massive air and missile sorties target Iraq and Kuwait. President George Bush declares, "We will not fail."

1991

Jan. 17

"The liberation of Kuwait has begun..." states Marlin Fitzwater,

1991

Jan. 17

Special Operations Forces are the first to receive the the bio-defense vaccinations on January 17, 1991 Eventually 150,000 soldiers will receive the inoculations.

1991

Jan. 17

Looking back on January 17th Lt. Gen. Charles Horner later says, "We flew in one day as many sorties as [Saddam] faced in eight years of war with Iran,"

1991

Jan. 17

Gen. Schwarzkopf on January 17 defines the first military objective to "attack Iraqi political/military leadership and command and control." The only time in Operation Desert Storm the objective stated to "attack" rather than "destroy."

1991

Jan. 17

During the night of the first air attacks 36 stealth f-117s would have crisscrossed Kuwait and Iraq, dropping bombs on a variety of targets.

1991

Jan. 17

The Stealth bombers attacked 30% of the strategic targets and were responsible for 47% of targets destroyed.

1991

Jan. 17

Attempting to provoke Israel, Iraq launches the first Scud missile at Israel, on January 17th.

1991

Jan. 17

The worse incident of collateral damage was when an air-launched cruise missile missed its target by 300 feet hitting an 8 story apartment building killing 11 civilians and injuring 49.

1991

Jan. 17

On January 17th, when Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Colin Powell and Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney arrived at the Capitol to review the day's events, the members of Congress rose and cheered.

1991

Day 2

The Pentagon announces on January 18th that 2000 sorties would be flown daily during the initial phase to maintain 24 hour pressure on the Iraqi government and forces.

1991

Jan. 18

Iraqi President Hussein declareson January 18th, "The great showdown has begun! The mother of all battles is under way."

1991

Jan. 18

The first anti-missile of the war, a U.S. Patriot missile intercepts and downs a scud missile launched at Saudi Arabia on January 18th.

1991

Day 3
Jan. 19

Speculation of retaliation by Israel for the Scud attack is suppressed on January 19th, when President Bush announces Israel's promise to not retaliate.

1991

Day 4

America begins to defend Israel, using Patriot missiles, after the second attack of 3 Scud missile kills 17 in Tel Aviv, Israel on January 20th. Iraq will have launched several with only 8 Scud missiles making it into Israel during the war.

1991

Jan. 20

The first Iraqi prisoners of war are captured in a raid on Kuwait oil platforms by U.S. troops on January 20th.

1991

Day 5

Captured Allied Airmen are interviewed on Iraqi TV on January 21sth.

1991

Jan. 21

10 Scud missiles are fired at Saudi Arabia on January 21st; none reach their target with nine destroyed by Patriot Missiles and one falling off-shore.

1991

Day 6

With 8000 sorties in five days U.S. officials reveal on January 22nd the elusiveness of the Scud missile launchers that still remain a threat.

1991

Jan. 22

On January 22nd Iraq claim to be using Allied prisoners of war as human shields in attempts to deflect Allied air attacks.

1991

Day 7

Iraq fires 6 Scud missiles into Saudi Arabia on January 23rd. A Patriot missile intercepts, destroying one Scud while the other 5 fall in areas of no consequence.

1991

Jan. 23

Iraqi troops set oil tanks and oil wells on fire on January 23rd.

1991

Jan. 23

A Scud missile kills three people in Tel Aviv, Saudi Arabia on January 23rd, when U.S. Patriot missiles fail to take it down.

1991

Day 8

Saddam Hussein claims the Allied planes bombed a baby-formula plant on January 24th. The U.S. officials say it was a chemical factory.

1991

Jan. 24

Scuds are fired at Israel and Saudi Arabia on January 24th resulting with no casualties.

1991

Jan. 24

The U.S. President, George H. W. Bush on January 24th makes a statement suggesting Saddam Hussein should be brought to "justice" and that the removal of Saddam as Iraqi president be goal.

1991

Day 9

Allied air sorties surpass 15,000 on January 25th.

1991

Jan. 25

Two oil slicks moving south of Kuwait was reported on January 25th by Saudi officials. Iraq lays blame on the bombing while the Allies say the oil was released by Iraqi troops.

1991

Day 10

Japan announces on January 26th it will send military aircraft for assistance in a non-combat capacity.

1991

Jan. 26

On January 26th Iraqi warplanes land in Iran and are seized by the Iranian military.

1991

Jan. 26

Two people are killed by Scud missiles that are fired on January 26th at Israel and Saudi Arabia.

1991

Day 11

An unpredicted ten days of low cloud cover with 3 times the normal precipitation caused more then a third of planned F-117 strikes to be diverted or cancelled during the first ten days. By the end of the war half of all planned strikes would be affected by the weather.

1991

Jan. 27

U.S. F-15s down three Iraqi MiG-23s on January 27th in the first major dog fight of the war.

1991

Jan. 27

It is confirmed by the Pentagon on January 27th, the the USS Louisville is the first submarine to launch a cruise missile in combat.

1991

Jan. 27

Iraq fires more Scud missiles into Israel and Saudi Arabia with no casualties resulting.

1991

Jan. 27

On January 27th in Washington D.C. it is reported that more than 75,000 protestors march.

1991

Jan. 27

In an interviewed with Peter Arnett on January 27th, Saddam Hussein appeared on CNN and promises, "blood ... lots of blood ... let not the fickle politicians deceive you ... by dividing the battle into air and land parts - war is war."

1991

Jan. 27

Saudi Arabia's industrial and desalination plants and the coast environment is threatened by the growing massive oil spill.

1991

Jan. 27

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Colin Powell personally orders General Schwarzkopf to direct British and American Special Operations forces into full-scale Scud missile hunt.

1991

Day 12

To stop Iraq from continued dumping of oil into the gulf the Allies bomb the occupied oil facilities in Kuwait on January 28th.

1991

Jan. 28

Among many concerns about terrorism, the Super Bowl XXV has no incidences.

1991

Day 13
Jan. 29

Allied pilots injured in the bombing raids are claimed by Iraq on January 29th to have been captured.

1991

Day 14

Iraqi troops advance into Saudi Arabia taking Khafji, on January 30th.

1991

Jan. 30

A battalion force of U.S. Marines fire artillery, mortars, TOW missiles at Iraqi bunkers a half-mile away in Kuwait in the larges ground battle yet on January 30th. There were no U.S. casualties.

1991

Jan. 30

The U.S. and Soviet Union present an offer of a cease-fire in exchange for an unequivocal commitment to withdraw. Saddam Hussein refuses the offer.

1991

Jan. 30

As of January 30th U.S. forces exceed 500,000 in the Gulf.

1991

Day 15

The advancement of Iraqi tanks and thousands of troops into Saudi Arabia is suppressed by U.S., Saudi, and Qatari troops on January 31st. Eleven Marines are killed.

1991

Jan. 31

U.N. Resolution 685, January 31st pertains to Iraq and Islamic Republic of Iran and extends the mission of the U.N. Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group.

1991

Jan. 31

The Scud threat is being reduced by the Allied air supremacy says General Norman Schwarzkopf, on January 31st.

1991

Day 16

Khafji, Saudi Arabia is retaken by Saudi and Qatari troops backed by U.S. artillery on February 1st.

1991

Feb. 1

Sheik Abdul-Aziz Bin Baz, the Saudi leading interpreter of Islamic law calls Saddam Hussein an "enemy of God."

1991

Day 17
Feb. 2

A 10-mile long Iraqi armored column headed into Saudi Arabia is bombed on February 2nd by the Allied Air Forces.

1991

Day 18
Feb. 3

Iraq launches 2 Scuds into Israel with no casualties. A Patriot missile downs a Scud over Saudi Arabia that injures two people.

1991

Day 19

The 40,000 sortie mark is reach on February 3rd, in the Allied air campaign. (Only 30,000 missions were flown against Japan in the last 14 months of World War II.)

1991

Feb. 4

A Nasiriyah marketplace is hit by a misguided bomb on February 4th.

1991

Day 20

Official relations between the United States and Iraq is restored on February 5th, after Iran offers to mediate peace talks with Iraq.

1991

Feb. 5

The Battleship Missouri fires into Kuwait at Iraqi positions on February 5th. It is the first time a ship has fired in combat since the Korean War.

1991

Day 21

The Air Force begins to target tanks on February 6th, without spotters on the ground. The camouflaged tanks would collect heat during the day and stand out at dusk with use of the infrared sensors on the aircrafts.

1991

Feb. 6

On February 6th, an Iraqi probe at the Saudi-Kuwait border is repelled by the first combat action, of the war, by Syrian forces.

1991

Feb. 6

Jordan's King Hussein on February 6th, condemns the American bombardments expressing his support for Iraq.

1991

Feb. 6

Heating and transportation problems are made worse on February 6th, when Iraq suspends fuel sales to civilians.

1991

Day 22

The first U.S. ground Scud mission involved 16 Delta commandos on February 7th.

1991

Feb. 7

120 Iraqi aircraft had already flown to Iran. Four Iraqi jets try to join them and are shot down by U.S. F-15 fighter planeson February 7th.

1991

Day 23

Defense Secretary Dick Cheney and Joint Chiefs Chairman Colin Powell on February 8th, leave for the gulf theater to assess the war. Cheney and Powell are the President's top war advisors.

1991

Feb. 8

The Battleship USS Wisconsin fires its 16-inch guns at targets in Kuwait, joining the USS Missouri on February 8th. It is the first firing of the guns in combat for the Wisconsin since the Korean War.

1991

Day 24
Feb. 9

While in route to Saudi Arabia on February 9th, Defense Secretary Dick Cheney gives the strongest indication to date the ground war is coming closer to a close.

1991

Day 25

Defense Secretary Dick Cheney, Joint Chiefs Chairman Colin Powell, Desert Storm commander General Norman Schwarzkopf and other military leaders meet for more than eight hours on February 10th.

1991

Feb.10

Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev sends an envoy to Baghdad for talks with Saddam Hussein and warns military operations against Iraq may exceed the U.N. mandate.

1991

Day 26

The second time since the war began, Saddam Hussein addresses his nation, pledging victory and praising the people of Iraq for their "steadfastness, faith and light in the chests of Iraqis."

1991

Feb.11

The mainstream media had been relaying Saddam's propaganda. White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said in a February 11th briefing that Saddam "has a very extensive PR effort and it's disturbing to find ... that somebody is buying it,".

1991

Day 27

President Bush says the alliance is in no hurry to begin the ground war after a meeting with two top military advisors on February 12th.

1991

Feb.12

Egyptian News reports of February 12th state, the Iraq government estimates more than 15,000 Iraqi troops killed.

1991

Day 28

The largest action of warfare in the war so far is on February 13th when Allied forces begin a combined barrage from land, sea and air against the occupying forces in Kuwait.

1991

Feb.13

Officials estimate a cost of 1 billion dollars over 6-months to fight the damage by the oil slick that has come ashore along the Saudi coast.

1991

Day 29

A Baghdad underground bunker, the Amiriyah shelter, identified by U.S. military intelligence as a military facility, is destroyed by two bombs, one a laser-guided "smart bomb" dropped by two U.S. Stealth fighters, on February 14th. Hundreds are killed and Iraqi officials claim the bunker was a bomb shelter. Confirmation of it being a command post came in 1994 or '95 when the head of Iraqi military intelligence defects to the west.

1991

Feb.14

During the first weeks of February American public opinion had rose to 45%, approving of the use of nuclear weapons to avoid the massive U.S. deaths of a ground campaign.

1991

Day 30

The Pentagon releases figures on February 15th that more than 1,300 of Iraq's 4,280 tanks have been destroyed, as well as 800 of 2,870 armored vehicles and 1,100 of 3,110 artillery components.

1991

Feb.15

The United Nations Security Council discusses the war in a closed session on February 15th.

1991

Day 31

The suburbs of Baghdad are bombed by American and British war planes on February 16th. 3 civilians were killed and at least 11 others injured.

1991

Feb.16

Iraq says on February 16th it will withdraw form Kuwait if certain conditions are met, among them include the Israeli withdrawal from the Arab occupied territories, forgiveness of Iraqi debts and Allied payment of costs of rebuilding Iraq. President George Bush dismisses the offer as a "cruel hoax."

1991

Feb.16

Allied forces continue moving supplies to the front preparing for a ground war.

1991

Day 32

The first nighttime raids by U.S. attack helicopters on Iraqi positions are on February 17th.

1991

Feb.17

130 civilians are killed by British Tornado jet strikes, claim Iraqi authorities.

1991

Feb.17

The southern part of Israel is the first target by Iraqi Scud missiles when two are launched but cause no casualties.

1991

Feb.17

Tariq Aziz, Iraq's foreign minister, travels to Moscow to discuss a possible negotiated end to the war.

1991

Feb.17

Abdul Amir al-Anbari, Iraq's ambassador to the U.N., claims Iraq will use its Weapons of Mass Destruction if the U.S. continues the bombing.

1991

Feb.17

U.S. officials claim that Iraq purposely staged damage of civilian areas to use in its propaganda.

1991

Day 33

Iraq's occupation of Kuwait will end "very, very soon," says President Bush on February 18th.

1991

Feb.18

20 Iraqis surrender to an Apache helicopter crew in one of seven clashes between U.S. and Iraqi troops along the Saudi Arabia and Kuwait border.

1991

Feb.18

Tariq Aziz, Iraq's foreign minister, says it's up to the Allies to act on Iraq's peace proposal. His comment was made while in route for talks in Moscow with Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev on February 18th.

1991

Feb.18

The percentage of Iraq's forces in Kuwait that have been killed or wounded is estimated at 15 percent, on February 18th by officials of U.S. military intelligence.

1991

Day 34

The warships USS Tripoli and USS Princeton are damaged by mines in the Persian Gulf on February 19th but remain operational.

1991

Feb.19

A US. Air Force helicopter search team on February 19th rescues a U.S. pilot from Iraq, 40 miles north of the Saudi border. He had parachuted to safety when his plane was disabled.

1991

Day 35

Iraqi Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz's return from Moscow with a Soviet peace proposal is reported by Baghdad Radio on February 20th.

1991

Feb.20

The Soviet Proposal falls short of what Iraq needs to concede to end the war, President Bush says, "well short."

1991

Feb.20

On February 20th Iranian news reports 20,000 Iraqis dead and 60,000 wounded per an Iraqi official.

1991

Feb.20

Targets inside Kuwait have been bombarded with heavy artillery fire by U.S. Marines for two days straight.

1991

Feb.20

Officials of the Saudi government report the gulf oil slick is smaller than feared being only 60 million gallons and not 400 million.

1991

Day 36

In fighting along the Saudi border one American is killed and seven wounded on February 21th.

1991

Feb.21

60 miles into Kuwait on February 21st, U.S. planes attack 300 Iraqi vehicles destroying 28 tanks.

1991

Feb.21

Iraqi Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz will "soon" travel to Moscow with Saddam Hussein's reply to the Soviet's peace proposal.

1991

Feb.21

Iraq's military is on "verge of collapse," says Allied commander Norman Schwarzkopf on February 21st.

1991

Feb.21

An Iraq announcement of a specific timetable for withdrawal from Kuwait is one required condition for peace, per U.S. officials.

1991

Day 37

Soviet spokesman Vitaly Ignatenko announces, on February 22nd, the Soviet's proposed cease fire agreement that would lead to a withdrawal is accepted by Iraq. The U.S. rejects the agreement but says it will not attack Iraqi forces that leave Kuwait within 24 hours.

1991

Feb.22

Saddam Hussein declares that Iraq still remains ready to fight a ground war.

1991

Feb.22

Dick Cheney, Defense Secretary says, on February 22nd, the Allies are prepping for "one of the largest land assaults of modern times."

1991

Feb.22

The worse not-combat accident so far occurs on February 22nd when 7 U.S. soldiers are killed in a helicopter crash.

1991

Day 38

President Bush condemns the "scorched-earth" destroying of Kuwait oil wells, on February 23rd, demanding Iraqs withdrawal by noon February 24th to avoid a ground war.

1991

Feb.23

President Bush rejects the Soviet peace plan on February 23rd.

1991

Feb.23

Coalition ground troops cross the Saudi Arabia border entering Kuwait on February 23rd, the trek to the war's ground-phase.

1991

Feb.23

Iraqi information officials call the U.S. demands to withdrawal a "shameful ultimatum."

1991

Feb.23

The Soviet Union announces an 8-day withdrawal plan.

1991

Feb.23

Iraqi troops torch 1/6th of Kuwait's oil wells on February 23nd, leaving 200 wells in flames.

1991

Day 39

U.S. Army, U.S. Marines, and the other Allied coalition forces, on February 24th at 4 a.m., begin the ground-phase attacks.

1991

Feb.24

After the start of the ground phase, Defense Secretary Dick Cheney cancels the news briefings concerning the war.

1991

Feb.24

President Bush announces at (10:02 p.m. on February 23rd EST) 2:02 p.m. on February 24th, "The liberation of Kuwait has entered the final phase."

1991

Feb.24

Commander Norman Schwarzkopf is authorized by President Bush to, in the President's words, "use all forces available, including ground forces, to expel the Iraqi army from Kuwait."

1991

Feb.24

U.S. officials state on February 24th, Iraqi troops are rounding up Kuwaitis to torture and execute.

1991

Day 40

February 24th, the first day of the allied ground offensive is hailed as a "dramatic success," by General Norman Schwarzkopf on the 25th. The Allied casualties are very light with more than 5,500 Iraqis captured.

1991

Feb.25

Kill "with all your might," is urged by Saddam Hussein in a radio speech on February 25th.

1991

Feb.25

The Allied ground assault is the largest in military history as more than 300 attack and supply helicopters strike into Iraq, deeper than 50 miles.

1991

Feb.25

On February 25th an Iraqi Scud missile hits a U.S. military barrack killing 28 U.S. soldiers and wounding 90, in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia.

1991

Feb.25

In the first wartime broadcast of her 39-year reign, Queen Elizabeth II, says she has prayed for victory.

1991

Feb.25

Baghdad Radio reports on February 25th that Saddam Hussein, in compliance with the Soviet peace proposal, ordered the Iraqi troops to withdraw from Kuwait. White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater says "The war goes on."

1991

Feb.25

Allied forces are reported on outside of Kuwait City, poised to liberate the capital. Still surfacing are more reports of Iraqis killing civilians and torching buildings.

1991

Feb.25

No injuries are reported after Iraq launches two more Scud missiles into Israel.

1991

Day 41

Officials report on February 26th that in the first two days of the ground assault 4 U.S. soldiers are killed and 21 wounded. Almost 20,000 Iraqis were taken prisoner and 270 tanks were destroyed.

1991

Feb.26

Allied warships down an Iraqi launched Silkworm anti-ship missile on February 26th.

1991

Day 42

Iraqi forces are in "full retreat" with allied forces pursuing, states Brig. Gen. Richard Neal in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on February 27th.

1991

Feb.27

The U.S. Marines and the Kuwaiti resistence leaders each report on February 27th the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait City is again under their control.

1991

Feb.27

Kuwait City residents celebrate the end of the occupation. To control the city, resistance groups set up headquarters.

1991

Feb.27

On February 27th the Iraqi POWs taken number 30,000+, that number will later climb to 63,000 and then to 90,000 by war's end; eventually the official tally reaches 106,000.

1991

Feb.27

Iraq excepts the terms of President Bush's proposed cease fire after 100 hours of ground fighting on February 27th. President Bush orders the cease fire to be effective at midnight Kuwait time. The cease fire agreement also called for disarmament.

1991

Feb.27

Over Baghdad radio on February 28th, Saddam Hussein announces the total withdrawal of Iraqi forces from Kuwait.

1991

Feb.27

Iraqi troops set fire to Kuwait oil wells along their retreat route.

1991

Final
Day 43

At 5 a.m. Iraq time on February 28th President Bush declares "Kuwait is liberated" and "Iraq's Army is defeated."

1991

Feb.28

The Kuwait emirate's flag is raised by Kuwaiti troops in Kuwait City on February 28th.

1991

Feb.28

The war ends with 90,000 Iraqi soldiers having been taken prisoner.

1991

Feb.28

President George H. W. Bush suspends the combat offensive after Saddam Hussein complies with his conditions for a cease fire to end the conflict.

1991

Gulf War Statistics

1991

Mar.

In southern Iraq the Shiite Muslims begin, on March 2nd, to rebel against Saddam's rule. The northern Kurds also rebel. The Iraqi army successfully crushes both revolts. The Kurds however with the protection of the Allied forces took control of a large strip of northern Iraq.

1991

Mar.

U.N. Resolution 686 is approved on March 2nd Placing requirements upon Iraq and the liability resulting from the invasion.

1991

Mar.

U.N. Resolution 686 is approved addressing the confirming of Iraq's agreement to comply fully with all previous resolutions.

1991

Mar.

The cease fire terms are formally accepted by Iraqi leaders on March 3rd.

1991

Mar.

Iraq releases 35 Prisoners of War on March 5th.

1991

Mar.

March 10th begins Operation Phase Echo with the redeployment of 540,000 American troops from the Persian Gulf.

1991

Mar.

During March and April Iraqi forces suppress rebellions in the southern and northern sections of Iraq. The inhumane treatment of Iraqi civilians in the areas crate a humanitarian disaster on the Turkey and Iranian borders.

1991

Apr.

The U.N. Security Council passes Resolution 687, the Cease Fire Agreement, on April 3rd. The agreement calls for destruction or removal of all Iraqi chemical and biological weapons; all stockpiled agents and components; all research, development, support, manufacturing and production facilities of ballistic missiles with ranges greater than 150km; and for Iraq to end its support of terrorism. The resolution passed 12 to one (Cuba) with Ecuador and Yemen abstaining.

1991

Apr.

U.N. Resolution 688, April 5th. "Condemns the repression of the Iraqi civilian population in many parts of Iraq, including most recently in Kurdish-populated areas, the consequences of which threaten international peace and security in the region."

1991

Apr.

Iraq excepts the terms of U.N. Resolution 687 on April 6th.

1991

Apr.

U.N. Resolution 689, April 9th, is concerned with the United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission.

1991

Apr.

On April 18th as required by Resolution 687, Iraq declares some of its chemical weapons and materials to the U.N. while claiming it does not have a biological weapons program.

1991

Apr.

Iraq's refusal to comply with the U.N. resolutions in April, was behind the continuation of the American presence in the Gulf. North and South no-fly zones and a no-drive zone in the south became a low-level war against Iraq's air defenses and 4 bombing campaigns over the next nine years.

1991

May

U.N. Resolution 692, May 20th, requires Iraq to foot the bill for the environment impact of its actions in Kuwait.

1991

Jun.

U.N. Resolution 699, June 17th, "Confirms that the Special commission and the International Atomic Energy Agency have the authority to conduct activities under section C of resolution 687 (1991) for the purpose of the destruction, removal or rendering harmless of the items specified . . . "

1991

Jun.

In violation of Resolution 687 some time between June 23rd and 28th, Iraqi soldiers fire warning shots in the air to prevent U.N. inspection teams from intercepting their Iraqi vehicles that carried Nuclear related equipment.

1991

Jun.

U.N. Resolution 700, June 17th, is in response to the inhibiting if the inspections of the Nuclear related equiptment.

1991

Aug.

U.N. Resolution 705, August 15th addresses compensation to be paid by Iraq.

1991

Aug.

U.N. Resolution 706 approved on , August 15th, addresses humanitarian concerns with an offer to allow Iraq to sell limited quantities of oil to use the money to provide for the needs of the Iraqi people, Iraq declines the offer. The resolution also addresses the return of "all Kuwaitis and third-State nationals or their remains present in Iraq on or after 2 August 1990 ..."

1991

Aug.

U.N. Resolution 707 approved August 15th requires a meeting with the government of Iraq to gain "written assurance that Iraq will fully and immediately cooperate in the inspection of the locations identified by the Special Commission and present for immediate inspection any of those items that may have been transported from those locations."

1991

Sep.

U.N. Resolution 712 is approved on September 19th, containing another offer to allow Iraq to sell limited quantities of oil to use the money to provide for the needs of the Iraqi people. Iraq declines this second offer as well.

1991

Sep.

Inspections during September from the 21st to the 30th find files on Iraq's hidden nuclear weapons program. Iraqi officials confiscate those and demand other documents refusing to allow the U.N. weapons inspectors to leave the facility. The four-day standoff ends with the U.N. team leaving with the documents after the U.N. Security Council threatens military enforcement. The inspection team say that Iraq was close to building a bomb.

1991

Oct.

Resolution 715 is passed by the U.N. Security Council on October 11th demanding Iraq "accept unconditionally the inspectors and all other personnel designated by the Special Commission". The resolution is rejected by Iraq, calling it "unlawful".

1992

Feb.

Iraq's refusal to abide by the U.N. Security Council Disarmament Resolutions is detailed on February 18th by the Executive Chairman of UNSCOM

1992

Jul.

The U.N. inspection team is denied access to the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture on July 6th. UNSCOM claims possession of reliable information proving the site contained documents showing illegal weapons activities.

1992

Jul.

a 17-day "sit-in" by U.N. Inspectors is staged just outside the building sometime between July 6th and July 29th; the inspectors leave after they are threatened by Iraqi soldiers.

1992

Aug.

A "No fly zone" is imposed over the southern Iraq to stop Iraq's air attacks on Shiite Muslim rebels. The U.S. and the allies begin air patrols to enforce the zone.

1992

Aug.

U.N. Resolution 773, August 3rd, established the first precise coordinates between Iraq and Kuwait as agreed upon by both nations October 4th 1963.

1992

Oct.

The U.N. Security Council passes Resolution 778 on October 2nd, to condemn "Iraq's coninued failure to comply with its obligations under relevant resolutions." The resolution also addresses the handling of funds from the export of petroleum products.

1993

Jan.

UNSCOM inspectors are refused by Iraq to use its own aircraft to fly into the country on January 19th.

1993

Jan.

Iraq begins military operations in the demilitarized zone between Iraq and Kuwait, and the northern No-Fly Zone on January 19th.

1993

Jan.

After US forces fire nearly 40 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Baghdad factories that were linked to Iraq's illegal nuclear weapons program, Iraq informs UNSCOM that it will be able to resume using its own planes.

1993

Feb.

U.N. Resolution 806, February 5th, addresses concerns of Iraq's violations of resolutions.

1993

Apr.

George H.W. Bush visits Kuwait on April 13th, afterwards the Kuwaiti government reveals it had uncovered an Iraqi plot to assassinate the former American president. The day before President Bush's visit 14 arrests are made for plotting the assassination. Two Iraqis confess to driving a car-bomb for the Iraq Secret Service, into Kuwait. Washington claims the plot was organized by Iraqi Intelligence.

1993

May

U.N. Resolution 833, May 27th, establishes the demilitarization zone between Iraq and Kuwait.

1993

Jun.

UNSCOM weapons inspectors are refused by Iraq on June 18th, to install remote-controlled monitoring cameras at two missile engine test stands.

1993

Jun.

Eight people die in a retaliatory strike by U.S. warships firing 24 Tomahawk cruise missiles at the intelligence headquarters in the Al-Mansur district of Baghdad on June 27th. The attack was ordered by President Clinton in retaliation for the assassination plot to kill former President Bush.

1993

Jul.

The Inspection teams leave Iraq on July 5th. Iraq later agrees to the UNSCOM demands leading to the return of the inspection teams.

1994

Mar.

U.N. Resolution 899, March 4th, addresses compensation to private Iraqi citizens whose properties were found to be on the Kuwait side of the established demarcation between Iraq and Kuwait.

1994

Jun.

It is learned by UN weapons inspectors Ritter and Smidovitch that Israeli intelligence had reported that Qusay Hussein, Saddam's son, is the head of the Iraqi government's efforts to hide Iraq's alleged illegal weapons.

1994

Oct.

As Iraq threatens on October 7th, to again stop the cooperation with the U.N. inspectors and again begins to deploy troops toward Kuwait.

1994

Oct.

U.N. Resolution 949, October 15th, demands that Iraq withdrawal all military units recently deployed to southern Iraq to their original positions.

1994

Oct.

President of the UN Security Council states Iraq must immediately begin cooperate with weapons inspectors and withdraw the troops from the Kuwait border.

1994

Oct.

President Clinton dispatches a carrier group with warplanes and 54,000 troops to the Gulf.

1994

Oct.

Under the threats by the U.N. Security Council and the U.S., The Iraqis pull back their forces.

1995

1994
1995

Jan.

Late 1994 or early 1995 the head of Iraqi military intelligence defects to the west. During the debriefing he states the bunker that was bombed on February 14th, 1991, in Nasiriyah, where 400 civilians were killed, was one of his command facilities.

1995

Apr.

The U.N. Security Council Resolution 986 establishes the Oil-for-Food Program on April 14th as a "temporary measure to provide for the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people, until the fulfillment by Iraq of the relevant Security Council resolutions, including notably resolution 687 of 3 April 1991". Due to non-compliance of Irag the program is not implemented until December 1996 after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the U.N. and Iraq on May 20, 1996.

1995

Jun.

As France and Russia become more interested with making financial deals with Iraq rather than disarm Saddam Hussein. According to UNSCOM the unity of the Security Council becomes weak because of the economic interests.

1995

Jul.

Iraq threatens to end all cooperation with UNSCOM and IAEA unless sanctions against Iraq are lifted before August 31st.

1995

Jul.

After the revealing of UNSCOM's evidence, for the first time Iraq admits the existence of an offensive biological weapons program but denies production of such weapons.

1995

Aug.

On August 8th Hussein Kamel al-Majid, the head of Iraq's secret program to build Weapons of Mass Destruction, with his brother and their wifes defect to Jordan. The wifes are daughters of Saddam.

1995

Aug.

Saddam reveals more details of the extent of Iraq's biological and nuclear weapons programs.

1995

Aug.

The previous Iraqi declaration of prohibited biological weapons to the U.N. is withdrawn and Iraq turns over volumes of new documents on the WMD programs.

1995

Nov.

Israel and Jordan help U.N. inspector Ritter on November 10th to intercept 240 Russian gyroscopes and accelerometers being shipped to Iraq from Russia.

1995

Nov.

The Barcelona Conference opens on November 27th with reported goals to battle religious fundamentalism worldwide; creat a free trade zone in the Mediterranean by 2010; and reducing America's presence in the Mediterranean.

1995

Nov.

27 attending nations sign the Barcelona Treaty on November 28th. The U.S. does not vote having been granted "observer status only."

1995

Dec.

The Tigris River near Baghdad is dredged under supervision of UNSCOM. Over 200 prohibited Russian made missile components and instruments are found.

1996 - Oil for Food on hold.

1996

Jan.

Economic austerity measures are set in motion on January 6th, by Saddam Hussein to deal with sky-rocketing inflation and nation wide shortages caused by the U.N. sanctions.

1996

Feb.

Recently defected Iraqi weapons program leader Hussein Kamel, Saddam's son-in-law, is welcomed back by Saddam and returns to Iraq on February 20th. During the defection period Kamel had provided the U.N. and the U.S. with information about Iraq's arsenal, the means of Saddam avoiding the Security Council resolutions and the organizational operations of Saddam's government.

1996

Feb.

A few days after Hussein Kamel returns to Iraq, Saddam has him along with his brother, father, sister and her children killed. Kamel and his brother were Saddam's son-in-laws.

1996

Mar.

UNSCOM inspection teams are refused access to five sites designated for inspection by Iraqi forces. Access is eventually gained after delays of up to 17 hours.

1996

Mar.

U.N. Resolution 1051, March 27th, addresses the International Atomic Energy Agency and the developing a mechanism to monitor sales or supplies by other countries to Iraq.

1996

May

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the U.N. and Iraq is signed on May 20, 1996. The agreement leads to the implementation of the Oil-for-Food program in December.

1996

May

A deal is reached, between Iraq and the U.N. on May 22nd, to sell $2 billion in oil for 180 days to buy food and medicine.

1996

May

From May into June the destruction of Iraq's main production facility of biological warfare agents, Al-Hakam, is supervised by UNSCOM inspectors.

1996

Jun.

During June the U.S. fails to build support for military action against Iraq in the U.N. Security Council as Iraq continues to refuse access to numerous inspection sites.

1996

Jun.

U.N. Resolution 949, June 12th, deplores Iraq's refusal to allow access to designated inspection sites and demands full cooperation.

1996

Jun.

Iraq agrees to a deal to allow humanitarian aid to the Kurdish communities in the north in exchange for being allowed to sell Oil on the international market and use some of the money to buy food and medicine. This plans becomes known as the "oil for food deal."

1996

Jun.

A bombing in Saudi Arabia on June 25th kills 19 U.S. airmen. In the hearings that follow Defense Secretary William Perry says "America has, I believe, the strongest military in the world," addressing the House National Security Committee, potential adversaries "are not able to counter them effectively with direct military attack, and so terrorism becomes the weapon of choice. Therefore, we can expect more terrorism, in quantity and in quality in the nature of the terrorism. We have not seen the last and the worst examples of terrorism."

1996

Jul.

U.N. Inspector Ritter is blocked by Iraqi officials in July, when he attempts to conduct a surprise inspection on the Republican Guard facility at the airport.

1996

Aug.

U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali was on the verge of giving the final go-ahead for Iraq to resume oil sales under an agreement Baghdad accepted last June after rejecting it for years.

1996

Aug.

With U.S. warnings looming Saddam sends tanks, helicopters and troops into northern Iraq and captures Irbil, a key city within the Kurdish area protected by U.S. led forces.

1996

Aug.

Saddam's troop occupation of Irbil, causes the U.N. Secretary-General to hold off allowing Iraq to resume international oil sales.

1996

Aug.

The sending of 46 U.N. personnel to Iraq, as monitors of the sales of Iraqi oil and the distribution of food and medicine purchased with the profits, was delayed for their safety, as announced by Boutros-Ghali.

1996

Aug.

The United States responds to Saddam's troop deployment by firing cruise missiles at Iraqi military targets.

1996

Aug.

"Everywhere they[, the people,] are glad; they are shouting for America, for President Clinton," tells Jala Talabani, leader of the rival group, the Patriotic Union of the Kurdistan faction, to the BBC.

1996

Aug.

President Clinton served notice that the "oil-for-food" deal is on hold. "Until we are sure these humanitarian supplies can actually get to those who need them, the plan cannot go forward, and the Iraqi government will be denied the new resources it has been expecting," stated President Clinton.

1996

Sep.

U.S. officials say attempts will continue in seeking a settlement with the Kurdish factions. The administration has asked the Kurds to refrain from seeking help from Iran or Iraq. "Do not accept the offers of either the Iranian leadership or of Saddam Hussein for friendship, because neither of them can be trusted, and neither of them is going to act in the interest of the Kurdish people," says State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns.

1996

Sep.

U.S. ships and airplanes fire upon military targets with dozens of cruise missiles on September 2nd. in a move to punish the Iraqi troops and discourage them from following Saddam.

1996

Sep.

Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein is warned on September 10th that if he continues building anti-aircraft batteries in southern Iraq he will face renewed military action.

1996

Sep.

Defense Secretary William Perry promises, on September. 11, a "disproportionate" response should Iraqi attack U.S. planes though many of the allies disapprove.

1996

Sep.

The Senate Intelligence Committee is informed on September 18th by CIA Director John Deutch that, "Saddam Hussein's position has been strengthened in the region,"

1996

Sep.

A force of 219 soldiers leave Fort Hood in Texas for Kuwait on September 18th in a chartered commercial jet, in a new U.S. effort to pressure Iraq.

1996

Sep.

Having been in the Adriatic with its planes patrolling the no-fly zones of former Yugoslavia, the USS Enterprise arrives in the gulf on September 19th.

1996

Sep.

U.S. warplanes roar off the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise on September 21st to patrol the skies over Iraq armed and ready to retaliate if fired upon.

1996

Dec.

An assassination attempt fails but seriously injures Saddam's son, Uday Hussein, on December 12th.

1996

Dec.

The Oil-for-Food program begins in December allowing Saddam to resume oil sales in the international market. From December 1996 to March 20th, 2003, 3.4 billion barrels of oil valued at $65 billion were exported by Iraq.

1997

Mar.

Under the Oil-for-Food program the first shipments of food arrive in Iraq in March.

1997

Apr.

A plan to blow-up an Israeli El-Al airliner above Tel Aviv, by terrorist Imad Mughniyeh, was foiled on April 12th, just two hours before the execution of the plan, when the bomb intented to be used goes off in a hotel room. Andrew Jonathan Neumann was seriously wounded but reveals his operation was supposed to be a special "gift" to Israel from Imad Mughniyeh.

1997

Jun.

U.N. Resolution 1111, June 21st, addresses the "... new Plan submitted by the Government of Iraq, guaranteeing equitable distribution and including a description of the goods to be purchased with the revenues of the sale of petroleum and petroleum products authorized by the present resolution."

1997

Jun.

U.N. Resolution 1115, June 21st, condemns the repeated refusal to allow access to designated sites, demanding full cooperation with the Special Comission.

1997

Jun.

In June, Iraqi military escorts threaten the safety of the crew when they physically prevent the pilot of a UNSCOM helicopter from navigating to the planned destination.

1997

Sep.

U.N. Resolution 1129, September 12th, addresses the administering of monies from the Oil-for-Food program for the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people.

1997

Sep.

While in flight on a UNSCOM helicopter a weapons inspector attempts to photograph unauthorized movement of vehicles inside a designated inspection site on September 13th and is attacked by an Iraqi military officer.

1997

Sep.

During the delaying of access to an inspection site on September 17th the inspectors witness and videotape Iraqi guards moving and burning documents and dumping waste cans into a river.

1997

Sep.

Iraqis are caught smuggling log books of prohibited bacteria and chemical development out a back door by U.N. Inspector Dr. Diane Seaman on September 25th.

1997

Oct.

U.N. Resolution 1134, October 23th, again demands that Iraq cooperate unconditionally with the weapons inspectors.

1997

Oct.

Iraq says on October 29th it will begin shooting down the U-2 plains used for surveillance by the UNSCOM inspectors.

1997

Nov.

"We must recognize that there is no indication that Saddam Hussein has any intention of relenting. So we have an obligation of enormous consequence, an obligation to guarantee that Saddam Hussein cannot ignore the United Nations. He cannot be permitted to go unobserved and unimpeded toward his horrific objective of amassing a stockpile of weapons of mass destruction. This is not a matter about which there should be any debate whatsoever in the Security Council, or, certainly, in this Nation. If he remains obdurate, I believe that the United Nations must take, and should authorize immediately, whatever steps are necessary to force him to relent--and that the United States should support and participate in those steps." - Speech on the Senate floor on November 9th by John Kerry.

1997

Nov.

U.N. Resolution 1137, November 12th, states the unacceptability of Iraq's decision to implement conditions on its cooperation with the Special Commission.

1997

Dec.

U.N. Resolution 1143, December 4th, addresses the humanitarian concerns and the adequacies of the distributions. The resolution establishes a "... thorough review of all aspects of the implementation..."

1998

Feb.

Resolution 71 is passed by the U.S. Senate in February to urge President Bill Clinton to "take all necessary and appropriate actions to respond to the threat posed by Iraq's refusal to end it's weapons of mass destruction programs."

1998

Feb.

President Clinton on February 19th gives his take on the terrorists, "They actually take advantage of the freer movement of people, information and ideas, and they will be all the more lethal if we allow them to build arsenals of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and the missiles to deliver them. We simply cannot allow this to happen. There is no more clear example of this threat than Saddam Hussein's Iraq. His regime threatens the safety of his people, the stability of the region, and the security of all the rest of us."

1998

Feb.

U.N. Resolution 1153, February 20th, addresses the nutritional needs of the Iraqi people.

1998

Feb.

Saddam Hussein negotiates with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan on February 20th for a deal that allow the weapons inspectors to return while preventing military action by the U.S. and Britain.

1998

Mar.

U.N. Resolution 1154, March 2nd, "... to accord immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access to the Special Commission and the IAEA in conformity with the relevant resolutions..."

1998

Mar.

U.N. Resolution 1158, March 25th, expresses concern over the "resulting humanitarian consequences for the Iraqi people of the shortfall in the revenue from the sale of petroleum and petroleum products during the first 90-day period of implementation..."

1998

Apr.

The U.N. Security Council is informed by UNSCOM on April 8th that the declaration of Iraq's biological weapons program is incomplete as well as inadequate.

1998

May

The inspection team learns on May 15th that an Iraqi delegation has traveled to Bucharest meeting with scientist that may be able to provide missile guidance systems.

1998

Jun.

U.N. Resolution 1175, June 19th, pertains to humanitarian distributions and contract funding.

1998

Aug.

All cooperation with the UNSCOM teams is officially suspended by Iraq on August 5th.

1998

Aug.

The U.S. strikes the al-Shifa plant in Afghanistan on August 20th, later revealing the Iraqi link to the plant as well as other Iraqi connections.

1998

Aug.

Scott Ritter says "Iraq is not disarming," "Iraq retains the capability to launch a chemical strike." Ritter resigns from UNSCOM on August 26th, criticizing the U.N. Security Council and the Clinton administration for failing to insist that Iraq destroy its Weapons of Mass Destruction.

1998

Sep.

U.N. Resolution 1194, September 9th, addresses "... the refusal by Iraq to cooperate in any activity involving investigation of its clandestine nuclear programme and other restrictions of access placed by Iraq on the ongoing monitoring and verification programme of the IAEA."

1998

Sep.

The U.S. Congress on September 29th passes the Iraq Liberation Act that set the U.S. policy to remove Saddam Hussein from power and replace him with a democratic government.

1998

Oct.

Iraq, again on October 31st says it will not longer cooperate with the U.N. weapons inspectors.

1998

Nov.

U.N. Resolution 1205, November 5th, addresses Iraq's decision "... to cease cooperation with the United Nations Special Commission, and its continued restrictions on the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency."

1998

Nov.

Air strikes against Iraq are ordered by President Clinton on November 13th and called off at the last minute on November 14th when Iraq again promises to unconditionally cooperate with the inspection teams.

1998

Nov.

UNSCOM inspectors return to Iraq on November 18th.

1998

Nov.

U.N. Resolution 1210, November 24th, addresses the need "... to provide for the humanitarian needs..." "... for equitable distribution of humanitarian supplies..." and "... to ensure respect for the security and safety of all persons directly involved in the implementation..."

1998

Nov.

Iraq again ends cooperation with U.N. inspectors according to UNSCOM on November 26th after alternately intimidating and withholding information from the inspectors.

1998

Dec.

Iraq announces on December 11th it will no longer allow inspection on Fridays, the Muslim day of rest. Test data from missile and engine production is refused to the inspectors by Iraq.

1998

Dec.

U.S. President Clinton on December 16th orders airstrikes by the USAF and the British RAF as UNSCOM withdraws all weapons inspectors from Iraq.

1998

Dec.

Taha Yassin Ramadan, Iraqi vice-president, announced on December 19th that Iraq will no longer cooperate, declaring that UNSCOM's "mission is over."

1998

Dec.

U.N. Security Council members France, Germany, and Russia call on December 21st for the sanctions against Iraq to end. The same members also call for UNSCOM to be disbanded or its mission redefined. The U.S. promises to veto any such proposal.

1998

Dec.

Iraq announces on December 26th that it will fire upon USAF and British RAF warplanes that pass into the no-fly zones of northern and southern Iraq.

1999

Jan.

An ABC newscast on January 14th, reports on the embassy bombings and ties bin Laden to Iraq in secret meetings with President Saddam Hussein's top men.

1999

Jan.

In late January, Saddam Hussein offers asylum to Osama bin Laden. Bin Laden openly supports Iraq against the Western nations.

1999

Feb.

By February Saddam Hussein had already opened talks with Osama bin Laden on February 6th, concerning further terror attacks. U.S. Intelligence and Iraqi opposition fear a greater threat of terrorist attacks using chemical, biological or nuclear weapons.

1999

May

U.N. Resolution 1242, May 21st, addresses the administration "... to provide for the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people..." and the "... equitable distribution of humanitarian supplies..." while ensuring "... respect for the security and safety of all persons directly involved in the implementation..."

1999

Oct.

U.N. Resolution 1266, October 4th, Determines, "to improve the humanitarian situation in Iraq." and to reaffirm, "the commitment of all Member States to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq."

1999

Nov.

U.N. Resolution 1275, November 19th, extends provisions within Resolution 1242.

1999

Dec.

U.N. Resolution 1280, December 3rd, extends provisions within Resolution 1242 & 1266.

1999

Dec.

U.N. Resolution 1281, December 10th, addresses "... whether Iraq has
ensured the equitable distribution of medicine, health supplies, foodstuffs, and
materials and supplies for essential civilian needs..."

1999

Dec.

U.N. Resolution 1284, December 17th, addresses "... the goal of establishing in the Middle East a zone free from weapons of mass destruction and all missiles for their delivery and the objective of a global ban on chemical weapons..."

1999

Dec.

Replacing UNSCOM, the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (Unmovic) is created on December 17th by Resolution 1284. The U.N. once again orders Iraq to immediately allow inspection teams unconditional access to any weapons facilities. Iraq again refuses, rejecting the resolution.

2000

Continuing refusal by Saddam Hussein to comply with U.N. resolutions continue.
See the TimeLine of Liberty on the Iraq War for more events that relate to post Persian Gulf War.
Those same events also lead up to the 2003 Iraq war.

Gulf War Statistics - Military Poetry

http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/RESOLUTION/GEN/NR0/596/43/IMG/NR059643.pdf?OpenElement - http://www.un.org/Docs/sc/unsc_resolutions.html -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UN_Security_Council_Resolution_660 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UN_Security_Council_Resolution_687 - http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/RESOLUTION/GEN/NR0/596/22/IMG/NR059622.pdf?OpenElement - http://www.un.org/Docs/scres/1991/scres91.htm -

Index

Sources

One Votes Counts	U.S. TimeLine	TimeLine Index	State TimeLines	Flag TimeLine
Presidency TimeLine		American Wars	The Early Presidents