.jpg?sfvrsn=f776c605_2&method=CropCropArguments&width=1600&height=847 "British Challenger tank at high speed © IWM (GLF 444)")
The Gulf War, fought from 1990 to 1991, saw the largest use of British troops in a single deployment since the Second World War.
Known by many names, Persian Gulf War, First Gulf War, First Iraq War and Kuwait War, the war was sparked by the actions of Saddam Hussein, President of Iraq.
Gulf War Illness
Shortly after the end of the Gulf War in 1990-91, veterans of the conflict began to report similar health issues when they returned home.
The invasion
There were many deep rooted and historical tensions in the region and disagreements that led to the invasion. Iraq never recognised Kuwait's independence following its detachment as an Ottoman province of Iraq by the British after the First World War, and accused Kuwait - a small oil producing country - of over producing oil and driving down prices, which Iraq said caused the loss of billions in revenue.
.jpg?sfvrsn=1d4a5c8f_0&method=CropCropArguments&width=600&height=450 "British troops practise firing their SA-80 weapons © IWM (GLF 859)")
Wide condemnation
A coalition show of force
In total a US-led coalition force of almost one million service personnel from 32 countries were prepared in case diplomacy failed.
_28a71c52-5a62-4997-bdbc-f165d5fe8f4d.jpg?sfvrsn=dfd13fda_2&method=CropCropArguments&width=600&height=450 "Door gunner in a Royal Navy HC.4 Sea King helicopter © IWM (GLF 485)")
Sanctions and deadlines
British airmen taken hostage
A coalition air war - known as Operation Desert Storm - began on 17 January 1991 against military, economic and communications targets in Iraq and Kuwait to force Iraqi troops to withdraw. During the attack coalition aircrews flew over 100,000 missions.
During the initial airstrikes British Tornado Pilot John Peters and his navigator John Nichol were shot down. The airmen were taken hostage, interrogated and tortured by the Iraqi secret police and then paraded on Iraqi TV, beaten and bruised.
After a month of unrelenting series of airstrikes, land operations - known as Operation Granby by UK troops - started on 24 February. Just a few days after the ground assault launched Kuwait City was liberated on 26 February.
.jpg?sfvrsn=f776c605_2&method=CropCropArguments&width=600&height=450 "British Challenger tank at high speed © IWM (GLF 444)")
A final act of destruction
During the conflict 392 coalition service personnel died, including 47 British servicemen.
It's estimated that between 20,000 to 35,000 Iraqi soldiers were killed and around 100,000 civilians lost their lives as a result of the short war.
The end of the war
With the Iraqi forces retreating President Bush declared a cease-fire, and on 28 February 1991 he announced that Kuwait had been liberated. A few days later on 3 March 1991 Iraq agreed to accept all of the UN resolutions, and a cease-fire agreement was finally signed on 6 April 1991.
.jpg?sfvrsn=c0200ece_0&method=CropCropArguments&width=680&height=384 "Prime Minister John Major meets troops © IWM (GLF 405)")
.jpg?sfvrsn=ebed397b_2&method=CropCropArguments&width=600&height=450 "British soldiers in Nuclear Biological and Chemical equipment during a training exercise © IWM (GLF 400)")
.jpg?sfvrsn=ebed397b_2&method=CropCropArguments&width=452&height=452 "British soldiers in Nuclear Biological and Chemical equipment during a training exercise © IWM (GLF 400)")
