Did Desert Storm Complete the Mission?
Abstract
On 16 January 1991, the United States, along with its coalition partners began offensive operations to remove the Iraqi Army from Kuwait. Beginning in August 1990, after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, defensive forces deployed along the Northern Saudi Arabian border to halt a possible Iraqi invasion of Saudi Arabia. After several months of offensive preparations, the ground attack begun on 24 February was halted after, 100 hours of combat, by President Bush. Massive losses were inflicted on the Iraqi Army to the point the war became a 'turkey shoot.' Driving Iraqi forces out of Kuwait achieved United Nations goals, but five years after Desert Storm ended issues remain. Should the coalition have continued the attack into Baghdad to forcibly remove Saddam Hussein from power? Would the complete annihilation of the Iraqi Army contributed to a power vacuum in the region? This project examines these issues and attempts to provide the answers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 10, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA308485
Entities
People
- Anthony T. Lupo
Organizations
- United States Army War College