Home · War & Conflict · 1991 Gulf War · The 1991 Gulf War
Topic spans: 1990 - 2001
The 1991 Gulf War
Unlike any conflict before, the Gulf War of 1991 played out in a brave new world of biological warfare. A round-the-clock television audience was captivated by the flying missiles that lit up the night sky. Canadian troops, sent abroad for combat for the first time since the Korean War joined the Allied forces to fight Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. On the surface, the occupation ended swiftly and decisively as the Iraqi forces retreated. But as was evident over the next decade, the problems remained unresolved.
32 television clips
6 radio clips
The liberation of Kuwait
Broadcast Date: Feb. 27, 1991
The coalition forces roll into Kuwait just before noon. The capital, Kuwait City, is in ruins but it is indeed a city liberated. Billboards of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein are set on fire. CBC Television's Brian Stewart is there and describes the millions of rounds of ammunition being fired into the sky in celebration. He also talks to Kuwaitis who say the occupation was difficult and tell stories of Iraqi mistreatment.The liberation of Kuwait
• According to Baghdad officials, 35,000 Iraqi civilians were killed in the conflict.• Before the war began, 540,000 coalition troops were set to face off against 362,000 Iraqi soldiers. Approximately 150,000 troops deserted the Iraqi army and 60,000 were taken prisoner thereby making the match-up less even.
• The Gulf War officially began on Jan. 17, 1991, and ended 42 days later on Feb. 27, 1991, as the Iraqi forces retreated from Kuwait. The coalition forces completely dominated the ground war with their high-tech weapons and sheer number. American President George Bush announced a ceasefire, effective Feb. 28.
• Iraqi President Saddam Hussein remained in power and agreed to peace terms which included allowing for United Nations weapons inspections. Over the course of the next decade, however, his resistance to the inspections grew. In 1993, 1998 and 1999, the conflict continued as the United States launched air strikes and continued economic sanctions against Iraq because of the country's non-co-operation over inspections.
The liberation of Kuwait
Medium: Television
Program: The National
Broadcast Date: Feb. 27, 1991
Host: Peter Mansbridge
Reporter: Brian Stewart
Duration: 2:31
Last updated:
July 15, 2008
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38 clips in this topic . page
Television
3:10
July 15, 1983
American cruise missile testing to take place on Canadian soil.
Radio
4:23
Nov. 11, 1944
In this 1944 CBC Radio clip, war correspondent Matthew Halton reflects on Remembrance Day.
Topic from Radio-Canada
For Teachers - Educational activities
External sites
- Department of Defence: 10 Years ago…The Gulf War!
- Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade: Canada-Iraqi Relations
- Department of Defence: Airfield Engineers: The Gulf War
- Department of Defence: Canada's Military Legacy
- Department of Defence: Status of Gulf War Veterans
- CIA: Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction Report
The liberation of Kuwait.
The CBC Digital Archives Website.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Last updated: July 15, 2008.
[Page consulted on Feb. 14, 2012.]