The offensive by the US-led allied forces, codenamed "Operation Desert Storm", began just before midnight GMT on Jan. 16.
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Sustained air attacks on Iraqi targets continued throughout January, with the allies using carrier-based and land-based aircraft--including US B-52 bombers--and Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from allied ships. In the UK special emphasis was laid on the role of the Royal Air Force in the earliest phase of the air war, and the loss of six RAF Tornado aircraft represented a relatively high rate of casualties among the allied forces at this stage.
Although little hard information was released concerning the nature of targets and the level of damage inflicted by the air campaign, it appeared that the initial attacks were directed against Iraqi command structures, airfields, missile sites, chemical and nuclear facilities and elements of civilian infrastructure such as electrical power plants. Later in the month objectives of the air raids were shifted to attacks on troop concentrations--particularly Iraq's elite Republican Guard divisions being held in reserve behind the front line--and on supply lines in both Iraq and Kuwait.
By the end of January the allies claimed to have flown over 30,000 sorties. Video footage taken both from the ground and from attacking allied aircraft suggested that the cruise missiles and the laser-guided bombs used by the allies were capable of a very high degree of accuracy. Nevertheless, more traditional weapons of bombardment were also used-- including "carpet bombing" by B-52s--and Iraqi sources claimed that the air attacks had resulted in the widespread destruction of non-military targets and considerable loss of life among the civilian population.
Turkey, the only member country of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) with a common border with Iraq, on Jan. 17 authorized the US Air Force to station 96 warplanes at Incirlik, near the southern city of Adana. Official sources later confirmed that these aircraft had immediately joined the air offensive against Iraq.
Gulf crisis chronology, January 1991 to February 1991
Jan. 16 Operation Desert Storm begins shortly before midnight GMT.
Jan. 17 First Iraqi Scud missiles hit Israel. Price of oil falls from US$30 a barrel to $18 on perceptions of overwhelming allied military strength; oil price stands just below $20 at end-January and about $18 at end-February.
Jan. 19 USA airlifts Patriot missiles to Israel.
Jan. 20 First Scuds against Riyadh launched.
Jan. 24 Japan increases contribution to allied war effort at G-7 meeting.
Jan. 25 USA accuses Iraq of pumping oil into the Gulf.
Jan. 26 Widespread peace demonstrations include protests by 200,000 in Bonn, 100,000 in Washington and San Francisco and 50,000 in Paris.
Jan. 27 Iran announces that 12 Iraqi aircraft are being held. Number reaches 100 by end-January. Jan. 29 Iraq captures Saudi town of Khafji. Baker-Bessmertnykh Washington meeting. French Defence Minister Chevènement resigns. German contribution to allied war effort increased.
Jan. 31 Allies recapture Khafji.
Feb. 2 Iranian peace initiative presented to Saddam Hussein, whose rejection is made known on Feb. 10.
Feb. 6 Iraq severs diplomatic relations with Egypt, France, Italy, Saudi Arabia, UK and USA.
Feb. 13 At least 300 civilians killed in allied attack on Baghdad bomb shelter.
Feb. 15 Iraq announces that it will withdraw from Kuwait but sets conditions.
Feb. 18 Gorbachev meets Aziz in Moscow and announces peace plan.
Feb. 22 After second meeting with Gorbachev Aziz announces Iraqi acceptance of Soviet plan; but Bush ultimatum demands that Iraq begin troop evacuation of Kuwait by midday on Feb. 23.
Feb. 22-25 Iraq destroys Kuwaiti installations, setting alight oil pumping stations.
Feb. 23 A new, stricter Soviet plan is accepted by Aziz but does not meet terms of Bush's ultimatum.
Feb. 24 Ground offensive begins at 1.00 a.m. GMT.
Feb. 26 Saddam Hussein announces Iraqi "victory" and start of Iraqi troop withdrawal from Kuwait.
Feb. 26-27 Kuwait City is liberated and Iraqi forces are overwhelmingly defeated.
Feb. 27 Iraqi government announces unconditional acceptance of UN resolutions on Kuwait.
Feb. 28 Suspension of allied military operations.
This article comes from Keesings Worldwide Online
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