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Tensions grow between Iraq and Kuwait
The dictator of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, say Kuwait is oil. They also accuse Kuwait of stealing oil from the Romailia Oil Field, a giant oil field located in southern Iraq, about 20 miles from the Kuwait border. -
Iraq Invades Kuwait
Iraq invades Kuwait, a smaller neigboring country, and a big supplier of oil to the United states. Iraq had the fourth largest army in the world, and is ready to fight. -
First US forces arrive
First U.S. forces---from Langley Air Force Base, Virginia—arrive in Saudi Arabia. This marks the beginning of Operation Desert Shield, which will soon turn into Operation Desert Storm. -
Operation Desert Shield Begins
The US tried to protect Suadi Arabia, a major supplier of oil, from being taken over by the Iraqis, so they sent in troops. This operation is called Operation Desert Shield. Over 500,000 American troops were deployed in Saudi Arabia to prevent an Iraqi attack on the Saudis. -
Period: to
Operation Desert Shield
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First US death
First Operation Desert Shield-related U.S. death, Aug. 12. The beginning of many American, Iraqi, and Allied Forces deaths,
resulted from bombings and ground attacks. -
Bush Makes an Executive Order
President George Bush orders the first troops to participate in active duty in Saudi Arabia or 3 months. Aug. 22. ( This period of time was extended to 180 days on Nov. 12 by executive order.) -
Iraq attacks Israel
Iraq attacks Israel with seven Scud missiles, Scud Missles are surface-to-surface missiles, which carry nuclear weapons and have a very big range.Thousands of Israelis are killed. The Iraqis try to attack Israel to gain allies with other Israel-hating Arab countries. It does not work. -
Operation Desert Storm Begins
Operation Desert Storm was a US war with Iraqis to protect Saudi Arabians from being taken over by the Iraqis, like the Iraqis did to neigboring Kuwait. Because Kuwait was a major supplier of oil to the United States, the United States’ economy would be in huge trouble if the Iraqis soon took over neighboring Saudi Arabia, another major supplier of oil. When Iraq refused to leave Kuwait, the U.S Army was ready to fight. They sent even more troops over, and began warfare with the Iraqis. -
Period: to
Operation Desert Storm
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1 Million Soldiers
President Bush authorizes up to 1 million soldiers to go to Saudi Arabia for up to two years. -
Iraq Attacks
Iraqis attack and occupy lightly defended Khafji, Saudi Arabia. Two days later, the Iraqis were driven back by the Saudi Arabian National Guard and the U.S. Marine Corps. The allied forces provided air support and helped shoot at the Iraqis. Death tolls were high on both sides. -
Iraq strikes Kuwait
Iraqis ignite an estimated 700 oil wells in Kuwait, killing many people, injuring thousands, and destroying Kuwaits most valuable resource, oil, source. -
Allied ground assault begins
The allied forces- 34 powerful countries inclueding Saudi Arabia, Britain, and Egypt, provided additional help to the American troops on land. This help included many days of shooting and fighting with the Iraqis, on behalf of the United states, that was protecting Saudi Arabia. -
Iraq kills 25 more US soldiers
An Iraqi missile destroys U.S. barracks and kills 25 US soldiers. As the US death tolls got bigger, so did the attacks on Iraq and their army. -
Iraq leaves Kuwait
Iraq leaves Kuwait and recognizes it as it's own country, following the rules of the cease fire. -
Cease Fire Terms
Finally, after 7 months of fighting,cease-fire terms are negotiated in Iraq, between the US and Iraq. According to the terms of the cease fire, Iraq would be forced to recognize Kuwait as its own country and get rid of all of its weapons of mass destruction. -
Troops begin to go home
America announces that it's first troops will be coming home after fighting for more than half a year in Operation Desert Storm. The removal of troops is a long and hard process, and will take several years to fully complete. -
Iraq accepts cease fire terms
Iraq oficially accepts cease fire terms, promising to stop shooting, recognize Kuwait as its own country, and get rid of all of its weapons of mass destruction. These included nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. -
Cease fire takes effect
Cease-fire takes effect. Shooting stops between Iraqis and the Allied Forces. However, hundreds of refugees are now without homes and families, and millions of dollars in valuable resources are now lost.
