In 1990, the Iraqis invaded Kuwait after years of land dispute. This invasion was not taken lightly by the rest of the world and it was feared that this Iraqi aggression may continue. The United Nation quickly declared a boycott on all international trading with Iraq. Many nations including the United States also sent troops to Saudi Arabia to protect from a potential Iraqi invasion, this group of countries would come to be referred to as the Allies. The Allies gave the Iraqis an ultimatum to either withdraw from Kuwait or be invaded by the Allies. After the deadline for Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait came and went, the Allies invaded Kuwait. This was the beginning of The First Persian Gulf War. The war only lasted about six weeks, the Allies used 140 tons of bombs to finally force the Iraqis out of Kuwait. Over 20,000 Iraqis were killed in the war, while Allied casualties numbered in the hundreds. On February 28, 1991, a cease-fire was announced and all Iraqi troops withdrew from Kuwait.
HOW THE First Gulf War CONTRIBUTED TO THE WAR ON TERROR
The United States sending their own troops into combat in a Middle Eastern country was a major step in the war against terror. By putting Us troops in combat against the Iraqis made most Iraqis oppose the United States, and this is the beginning of the Iraqis' hatred towards the United States. This is also the first time that the united states will come into contact with Saddam Hussein, who was the leader or Iraq. At the same time thought the United States did help improve relations with other countries like Saudi Arabia.