THE
CHRONOLOGY
OF
GULF
WAR
August 2nd, 1990
Iraq invades Kuwait. The United Nations Security
Council condemns the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait (Resolution 600), and calls
for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the Iraqi forces, and
the return of the legitimate government.
August 9th, 1990
The Security Council imposes full economic
and military sanctions against Iraq to force it to withdraw from Kuwait
(Resolution 661), and calls the Iraqi decision to annex Kuwait null and
void (Resolution 662).
August 25th, 1990
The Security Council calls for the use of force, if necessary, to
force Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait (Resolution 665).
October 13-15, 1990
The Kuwaiti People's Conference is held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,
demonstrating to the international community the unity of the Kuwaiti people
and their support of the legitimate government.
November 29th, 1990
The Security Council sets a deadline of January 15th for the withdrawal
of Iraqi forces from Kuwait, and calls for the use of all necessary means
to force the Iraqi withdrawal after the deadline expires (Resolution 678).
January 15th, 1991
The deadline set by the Security council (resolution 678) for a
peaceful withdrawal of the Iraqi forces from Kuwait expires at midnight.
January 17th, 1991
Allied forces begin "Operation Desert Storm" at 3:30 a.m. Gulf time,
with a massive air offensive to liberate Kuwait.
February 26th, 1991
Kuwait is liberated.
February 27th, 1991
The flag of free Kuwait is raised in a celebration in the capital
at 9:00 a.m.
March 2nd, 1991
The Security Council calls on Iraq to immediately revoke all Iraqi
claims annexing Kuwait (resolution 686)
March 14th, 1991
The emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, returns
to his homeland after living in exile for seven and a half months.
April 3rd, 1991
The Security Council approves the cease-fire agreement in the Gulf,
and calls on Iraq to respect the boundaries, pay war compensation, and
destroy chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons.
April 5th, 1991
The Security Council welcomes the return of independence, sovereignty,
and the legitimate government to Kuwait.
April 20th, 1991
An emiri decree forms the first Kuwait cabinet after liberation.
July 9th, 1991
The emir of Kuwait opens the second session of the National Council,
and relays his thanks to brotherly and friendly countries that supported
Kuwait during the Iraqi aggression and war of liberation.
Elshtain, Jean Bethke, But was it just?
Doubleday, New York 1992 (pp. 127-130)