Persian Gulf War
1991
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U.S. troops engaged: 2,183,000
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Allied casualties: 147
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U.S., Britain, France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria, and Italy went to war against
Iraq on January 16, 1991, in response to Iraq's August 1, 1990, invasion and
annexation of Kuwait.
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President Bush sent 430,000 troops to Saudi Arabia to lead the U.N.-sponsored
coalition and protect that country from an attack by Iraq.
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The U.N. Security Council set a Jan. 15, 1991 deadline for Iraq to withdraw
unconditionally from Kuwait.
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The next day, Congress gave approval for a huge air attack against military targets
in Iraq and Kuwait.
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A ground war followed. U.S. and coalition forces were too much for Iraq
President Saddam Hussein and his troops and the attack ended in four days.

Iraq withdrew from Kuwait on February 28, 1991—though not before setting fire
to more than 500 Kuwaiti oil wells.

Official cease-fire declared, 1991; Iraq agreed to U.N. peace terms, and Saddam
Hussein remained in power.