On 29 November 1990, the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 678 authorized the assembly of a multinational military coalition to fight against Iraq in the Gulf War. The coalition's purpose was to liberate Iraqi-occupied Kuwait by "all necessary means" if Iraq did not withdraw by 15 January 1991. Iraq failed to relinquish control over Kuwait by the deadline specified in Resolution 678, leading to the commencement of combat operations with the Gulf War aerial bombardment campaign on 17 January 1991. At this time, the coalition consisted of 42 countries and was spearheaded by the United States: the central command was led by the United States, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom; the marine command was led by the United States; the Joint Forces East Command was led by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Morocco, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Poland, and Czechoslovakia; and the Joint Forces North Command was led by the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Italy, Australia, Japan, and Turkey. On 23 February 1991, the aerial bombardment campaign came to an end as the coalition began a large-scale ground offensive (the Liberation of Kuwait campaign) into Iraqi-occupied Kuwait and parts of Iraq. The Iraqi military was devastated in the fighting, and Kuwait was declared completely free of occupying Iraqi troops on 28 February 1991.
Coalition of the Gulf War | |
---|---|
1990–1991 | |
Type | Military coalition |
Membership | Primary countries:
Other contributors:
|
Historical era | Gulf War |
2–4 August 1990 | |
• Adoption of UNSC Resolution 678 | 29 November 1990 |
• Adoption of U.S. Congress Resolution Against Iraq | 14 January 1991 |
• Beginning of Gulf War air campaign | 17 January 1991 |
• Beginning of Liberation of Kuwait campaign | 24 February 1991 |
• Adoption of UNSC Resolution 686 | 2 March 1991 |
Argentina had 500 troops, two corvettes, a destroyer, two cargo planes and three helicopters.[1] It led the Operation Alfil.
Australia contributed at least one guided missile frigate, one destroyer and one supply ship.[2]
Bangladeshi personnel was around 2,300.[3] Their codenamed Operation Moruprantar and Security Personnel including two field Ambulance teams. Bangladeshi commander was Zubayr Siddiqui.
Bahraini forces were about 400 with base guards.
Belgian forces had about 400 troops and base engineers, two minesweepers, one squadron of fighters to Turkey.[2]
Canada's personnel was around 4,600 and Canadian forces participated in Operation Friction.
200-man chemical defence unit and 150 medical personnel.[2] Prominent Czechoslovak commander was Ján Való.
Denmark provided HDMS Olfert Fischer (Niels Juel-class Corvette) along 100 personnel.[2]
Egypt's personnel was around 35,000 soldiers. Egyptian leaders included Muhammad Tantawi, Mohammed Ali Bilal and Sami Anan.
The French personnel was around 18,000 and participated in Opération Daguet. It provided LTG Michel Roquejeoffre: 20,000 troops, 14 ships, one CV, more than 75 aircraft, 350 tanks, & 6th Armored Division.[2] The prominent Michel Roquejeoffre was a leader in the Gulf War.
Germany gave one squadron of fighters to Turkey.[3]
Greek forces included Hellenic Air Force Pilots and ground support staff, one frigate in Red Sea.[2]
Honduras gave 150 personnel with Washington Post reporting Honduras might send 350 more.[2]
The Hungarian personnel was about 40 people. It provided a medical team.[4]
Italian personnel was around 1,950 and Italian forces participated in the Operazione Locusta and deployed eight Panavia Tornado strike attack aircraft, Naval deployment (Operazione Golfo 2). Four ships, eight Tornado fighters, six F-104 fighters to Turkey. Italian commander was Mario Arpino.
Kuwaiti resistance included around 9,900 personnel.
Luxembourg provided financial support as well as peacekeeping to assist civilians.[5][6]
Moroccan personnel was around 13,000 and they reportedly provided security personnel.
New Zealand provided two Lockheed C-130 Hercules transporter aircraft and 100 personnel.[7]
Netherlands had naval deployment; Air Force deployments of Surface-to-Air Missiles to Turkey and Israel.
Niger had about 680 personnel and Patroller group. At least 480 troops guarding shrines in Mecca and Medina.[2]
Norway had 280 personnel with naval vessel and field hospital + intelligence information.
Omani personnel was around 6,300.
Mirza Aslam Beg, the Chief of Army Staff, endorsed the campaign against Iraq. In a briefing given to president Ghulam Ishaq Khan, Beg maintained the assessment that once the ground battle with the Iraqi Army was joined, the Iraqi Army would comprehensively defeat and repel the American Army.[8] Pakistani personnel was around 4,900–5,500. Ironically, Beg accused the Western countries for encouraging Iraq to invade Kuwait, though he kept his armed forces fighting against Iraq in support to Saudi Arabia.[9][10] In 1990, he held state dinner for United States Central Command (SCENTCOM) commander General Norman Schwarzkopf where, together with Chairman Joint Chiefs Admiral Iftikhar Sirohey, brief the USCENTCOM on Pakistan Armed Forces battle preparations and military operational capabilities of Pakistan armed forces in Saudi contingent.[11] The war was a polarizing political issue in Pakistan and Beg carefully commanded and deployed the Pakistan Armed Forces' contingent forces during Operation Desert Storm in 1991.[10][12] Beg calculated that the popular opinion would be in favor of Iraq, as the anti-American sentiment in the Middle East began to grow at that time.[8] But, neither did Beg's strategic prediction come true nor did he get an extension.[8] Soon after the end of Gulf war, Beg proceeded towards his retirement on 18 August 1991.[8]
The Philippines sent around 200 medical personnel to assist coalition forces in the liberation of Kuwait.
Polish forces participated in Operation Simoom and had naval and medical deployment. Their personnel was 319.
Logistic support with one Military Logistic Ship and 2 Lockheed C-130 Hercules transporter aircraft.[13][14] Portuguese personnel was estimated to be 52.
Qatar gave around 2,600 personnel. Qatari forces participated in the Battle of Khafji.
Romania participated with 363 medical personnel and 21 soldiers from February 1991. As part of Operation Granby, the medical team with a field hospital were deployed to al-Jubayl.[15][16][17]
Saudi personnel was estimated to be 60,000 to 100,000. Saudi leaders were Khalid bin Sultan, Saleh Al-Muhaya and Sultan Al-Mutairi.
Senegal had about 500 and base guards.[2]
Singapore sent 30 military personnel to provide medical and humanitarian services under Operation Nightingale and nine military support teams in 1991, with 990 military personnel, electronic intelligence, naval and aerial assets during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 until 2008.[18]
South Korean personnel was 314 with medical and transportation support,
Spain had 500 on the field and 3,000 off the coast. Engineers, 2 corvettes and one destroyer patrolling near Bab al Mandeb[2]
Syria's personnel was around 14,500 and participated in the Operation Desert Storm. Syrian military officer was Mustafa Tlass.
Swedish personnel was about 525 and included a field hospital.[19]
Turkey played a role in the air assault against Iraq.[20]
Emirati forces were around 4,300 personnel.
The United Kingdom participated in Operation Granby and Battle of Norfolk. It reportedly gave 16 ships, 58 aircraft, 1st Armd Div HQ, 7th Armd Bde, 4th Armd Bde.[2] British soldiers in the war were reportedly 53,462.[21] British leaders included Patrick Hine, the joint commander of all British forces, Michael Graydon, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief RAF Strike Command, Peter de la Billière - Commander-in-Chief of British Forces and John Chapple, Chief of the General Staff.
The United States led the war with a personnel number of 697,000.[22] It led the Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Battle of Khafji, Battle of 73 Easting, Battle of Al Busayyah, Battle of Phase Line Bullet, Battle of Medina Ridge, Battle of Wadi al-Batin, Battle of Norfolk and others. American commanders included Colin Powell, Calvin Waller, Charles Horner, Walt Boomer, Stan Arthur, Frederick Franks, Buster Glosson and others. Leading commander Norman Schwarzkopf led all coalition forces in the battle against Iraq.
According to sources, 300 members of the anti-communist militias, Afghan mujahideen, joined the coalition towards the end of the war on 11 February 1991.[23][24] Iraqi Kurdish rebel groups also reportedly rebelled against Saddam.[25]
Engineering and recovery vehicles
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