On 2 August 1990, Saddam Hussein’s Iraq invaded Kuwait. The next day the United Nations Security Council demanded that Iraq withdraw from Kuwait forthwith. On 6 August, the UN Security Council imposed a world wide ban on trade with Iraq. Thereafter, on 29 November, the Security Council authorized the use of military force to free Kuwait if the illegal occupation was not ended by 15 January 1991. In the build-up to the January the number of allied coalition forces reached 700,000, including 540,000 American personnel. Hostilities began on January 16. The allies launched a devastating air assault on January 17. The allies then launched a ground war on 24 February. Many Iraqis retreated and surrendered. President Bush called a ceasefire on February 27.

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Citation: Richert, Lucas Paul. "Gulf War commences". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 01 October 2008 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=3919, accessed 26 November 2024.]