The Gulf War's Forgotten Front: Afghanistan's Role And Resistance

The Gulf War was an armed conflict between Iraq and a 42-country coalition led by the United States. The conflict was triggered by Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait, which was immediately met with international condemnation. The US-led coalition forces, primarily from the XVIII Airborne Corps, were deployed to defend Saudi Arabia on 2nd August 1990, marking the start of Operation Desert Shield. The coalition's efforts against Iraq were carried out in two key phases: Operation Desert Shield, which marked the military buildup from August 1990 to January 1991; and Operation Desert Storm, which began with aerial bombing campaigns against Iraq on 17th January 1991 and ended with the liberation of Kuwait on 28th February 1991.

Afghanistan, on the other hand, was not involved in the Gulf War. However, the country had its own share of conflicts, including the Soviet-Afghan War in the 1980s and the Afghanistan War that began in 2001. The Afghanistan War was triggered by the September 11 attacks and consisted of three phases, with the first phase focusing on toppling the Taliban regime and dismantling al-Qaeda.

The Gulf War was an armed conflict between Iraq and a 42-country coalition led by the United States

Operation Desert Shield

On August 2, 1990, Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein ordered his armed forces to seize control of Kuwait. Within two days, Iraq had fully occupied the country. The invasion was immediately met with international condemnation, including a United Nations Security Council resolution demanding Iraq's immediate withdrawal from Kuwait. In response, the United States and Saudi Arabia agreed to a deployment of U.S. forces to Saudi Arabia to protect the peninsula. This deployment, known as Operation Desert Shield, began on August 8, 1990.

Operation Desert Storm

On January 17, 1991, the U.S.-led coalition launched a massive air offensive against Iraq, known as Operation Desert Storm. The coalition forces, which included troops from 34 nations, subjected Iraq to relentless attacks, destroying strategic sites such as command and control facilities, Saddam Hussein's palaces, power stations, and oil refineries.

On January 29, 1991, the U.N. Security Council authorized the use of "all necessary means" of force against Iraq if it did not withdraw from Kuwait by January 15. After Iraq failed to meet this deadline, the coalition launched a ground offensive, Operation Desert Sabre, on February 24. The ground campaign lasted four days, during which coalition forces liberated Kuwait and drove Iraqi forces back into Iraq.

On February 28, 1991, a cease-fire was declared, bringing an end to the Gulf War.

The conflict was also known as the Second Gulf War, the Persian Gulf War, the Kuwait War, the First Iraq War, and the Iraq War

The conflict was also known by several names, including:

• The Second Gulf War
• The Persian Gulf War
• The Kuwait War
• The First Iraq War
• The Iraq War

The war was initially referred to as the Gulf War or the Persian Gulf War in Western countries. However, following the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the conflict became more commonly known as the First Gulf War, to distinguish it from the Iraq War of 2003.

The war was caused by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, which was triggered by Kuwait's refusal to decrease oil production and inability to repay a $14 billion debt to Kuwait

The Gulf War was caused by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, which was triggered by Kuwait's refusal to decrease oil production and inability to repay a $14 billion debt to Kuwait.

The war consisted of two key phases: Operation Desert Shield, the military buildup from August 1990 to January 1991, and Operation Desert Storm, the aerial bombing campaign against Iraq from January 17, 1991, to February 28, 1991

The Gulf War was carried out in two key phases: Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

Operation Desert Shield

Operation Desert Shield was the military buildup from 2nd August 1990 to 17th January 1991. It was the US operational name for the US buildup of forces and Saudi Arabia's defence. The operation began on 7th August 1990 when US troops were sent to Saudi Arabia, following an invitation from Saudi Arabia's King Fahd. The operation was in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.

Operation Desert Storm

Operation Desert Storm was the aerial bombing campaign against Iraq from 17th January 1991 to 28th February 1991. It was the US name of the air-land conflict. The operation began with an aerial and naval bombardment on 17th January 1991, continuing for five weeks. This was followed by a ground assault on 24th February. This was a decisive victory for the coalition forces, which liberated Kuwait and advanced into Iraqi territory. The coalition ceased its advance and declared a ceasefire 100 hours after the ground campaign started.

The Gulf War had a significant impact on the media, with live news broadcasts from the front lines and the daily broadcast of images from cameras onboard American bombers

The Gulf War, also known as the Persian Gulf War, was a conflict between Iraq and a 42-country coalition led by the United States. The war was waged in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait. The conflict lasted from August 1990 to February 1991 and had a significant impact on the media.

For the first time in history, the war saw live news broadcasts from the front lines, with journalists reporting directly from Baghdad. Notably, CNN correspondents Peter Arnett, John Holliman, and Bernard Shaw provided live coverage of the war's first night from their hotel in the Iraqi capital. This reporting was exceptional as it occurred before the implementation of government restrictions and censorship.

The war was also marked by the daily broadcast of images from cameras onboard American bombers during Operation Desert Storm. This included footage of missiles hitting their targets, fighters taking off from aircraft carriers, and precise land bombing. The use of night-vision equipment gave the reporting a futuristic feel, resembling video game imagery and adding to the "war drama."

The extensive media coverage of the Gulf War had a profound impact on public opinion and support for the war effort. Critics argued that the media framed the war as an exciting narrative, turning it into a dramatic, patriotic spectacle. The live and unedited nature of the coverage, coupled with the use of new technologies like satellite transmissions, created an unprecedented level of immersion for viewers worldwide.

The Gulf War, with its intense media coverage, marked a significant shift in how conflicts were reported and consumed by the public. It set a precedent for future wars and conflicts, where live and immersive media coverage became an integral part of the public's experience.

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