Events Leading Up to the Persian Gulf War

By klevine

  • Saddam Hussein Becomes President of Iraq

    After the death of his cousin, who was previously in command, Hussein became the President. He had already served as Chief of Internal Security and killed many other prominent figures after rising to power.
  • Period: to

    Iran-Iraq War

    War that left Iraq billions of dollars in debt, much of which was owed to Kuwait.

  • Fall of the Berlin Wall

    Signaled the end of Soviet control. The Soviets had been very supportive of Iraq

  • Voice of America Radio Program

    The government-controlled radio program aired a story that mentioned Iraq as a country having widespread secret police, which angered Iraq.

  • Gathered Iraqi Troops at Kuwait's Border

    Hussein's forces had accumulated around Kuwait's borders; their numbers were great enough to attack the country.

  • Reps from Kuwait and Iraq Meet for Negotiations

  • American ambassador meets with Saddam Hussein

    April Glaspie met with Saddam Hussein. It is speculated that she implied that the U.S. would not involve themselves if Hussein decided to invade Kuwait.

  • Iraqi Troops Invade Kuwait

    The Iraqi forces crossed into Kuwait and, within the day, defeated Kuwait and controlled the country.

  • UN Meeting to Discuss What to do about Kuwait

    The UN was almost unanimously against Hussein's actions.

  • Iraqi Troops Approach Saudi Arabia from within Kuwait

    Within the country, a large number of troops was moving dangerously close to the Saudi Arabian border.

  • Russia Agrees to Work with the U.S. in cutting Iraq off economically

    For the first time since the Cold War, the U.S. and Russia both wanted to oppose Iraq's actions against Kuwait and decided to stop the sale of weapons to the country. Russia had been a major supplier.

  • American Troops begin moving towards Iraq

  • Operation Dessert Shield Begins

  • America Starts Sending Larger Forces

    Commercial planes carried soldiers due to the lack of military aircrafts available for transport.

  • Operation Dessert Storm Began