Gulf War 1991

Iraqi Invasion (Aug 2, 1990): Despite the recent signals of war, including the Iraqi build up of troops along the border, Kuwait was caught off guard by Iraq's invasion. The Iraqi invading force far-outnumbered the Kuwaiti forces, who mounted a brief and feeble resistance. Most of the Kuwaiti royal family escaped the country during the attack

 
Iraqi Occupation of Kuwait (Aug, 1990 - Feb, 1991): Iraq occupied Kuwait for 7 months before being evicted by the UN forces (led by the US) during the Gulf War. During Iraqi occupation, about half the Kuwaiti population fled the country, while many human rights abuses were reported.
Operation Desert Shield (Aug 7, 1990): A non-combative, defensive deployment of troops by the US to protect Iraq from advancing into Saudi Arabia. After Iraq took control of Kuwait, Saddam began to engage in threatening rhetoric in regards to Saudi Arabia, including the grievance concerning the kingdom's refusal to forgive the $26 billion loan to Iraq. Iraq was now in striking distance of Saudi Arabia's most productive oil fields, which would have given Iraq possession of the majority of the world's oil reserves if conquered, an uncomfortable scenario for the US and other western nations. To ensure this did not happen, the US mobilized about 543,000 troops into the region.
UN Ultimatum Ignored: On Nov. 29, 1990, the UN demanded that Iraq withdraw from Kuwait by Jan. 15, 1991, authorizing use of force if Iraq failed to comply. This UN resolution was disregarded by Iraq. According to the UN, violating internationally-recognized Kuwaiti sovereignty was unacceptable.
Questionable Accusations: In addition to the unlawful invasion, the US bought into other accusations that later proved false or embellished. Some reports of human rights abuse were later exposed as fabrications, although some allegations were later substantiated. The claim that Iraqi forces were building up at the Kuwaiti-Saudi Arabian border also proved to be false

Gulf War Begins with Air Campaign (Jan. 17, 1991): Two days after the UN-mandated Iraqi withdrawal date had passed, the US-led forces began extensive bombing of Iraqi military installations in Western Iraq and strategic targets in Baghdad. Civilian infrastructural targets would also be destroyed, transforming Iraq from one of the most developed Arab nations into one of the most dilapidated. The air strikes proved devastating, ruining most of Iraq's military, and preventing it from effectively deploying most of its enormous army.
Coalition Ground Forces Move In - Bringing Quick End to War (Feb. 24, 1991): After the massive air campaign had rendered the Iraqi military completely crippled, ground forces entered Iraq from Saudi Arabia, although covert forces had previously carried out operations inside Iraqi borders. By Feb. 26, Iraqi forces began fleeing Kuwait, setting fire to Kuwaiti oil fields as they retreated. The coalition forces easily pushed deep into the heart of Iraq, inflicting heavy losses. After four days of the Coalition's ground advance, it was clear that Iraq had withdrew from Kuwait, and that its military was decimated, encouraging the US to establish a cease fire, ending combat on Feb. 28, 1991.
Coalition Forces: 34 countries contributed, but 73% were U.S. The coalition included Arab nations, who feared continued Iraqi expansionism.
Palestinians Expelled from Kuwait: Over 400,000 suspected of being sympathetic to the Iraqi occupation were evicted, the majority being Palestinian nationals.
US Forces in Saudi Arabia: Under fear of Iraqi invasion, US troops were stationed in Saudi Arabia, and remained until asked to leave in 2003.
Casualties: Coalition forces suffered 190 deaths; Iraq suffered 20,000-200,000 deaths including 3,600+ civilian deaths; Kuwaiti deaths unknown; 2 Israeli civilian deaths from Iraqi Scud missile attacks (230 Israelis wounded)

Kurd Insurgency (Mar., 1991): Immediately following the Gulf War, the Kurds were encouraged by the U.S. to rise up and topple Saddam from power. But the U.S. failed to deliver promised support, and the uprising was brutally crushed by the Iraqi army. As a result, droves of Kurds fled across the border into Turkey.
Shi'a Uprising in Karbala (Mar., 1991): During the Gulf War, the US called for Shi'a to rise up against Saddam, pledging American assistance. Shi'a in Karbala took heart, and gained control of the city by Mar. 6. U.S. promises of support were left unfulfilled, resulting in the murderous suppression of the revolt by Saddam and his Republican Guard forces. Republican Guard forces rounded up all suspected of aiding the insurgency, and executed them en masse