Final Prewar Negotiation
Iraq refuses unconditional withdrawal from occupied Kuwait.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1991 in Iraq
Explore 50 historical events and records for Iraq in 1991.
Historical records for Iraq in 1991
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 50 unique records.
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January
Geneva Meeting with Baker
Meets James Baker in a final high-level diplomatic attempt.
Geneva Talks
Meets James Baker in a final major prewar negotiation.
Bombing of Baghdad
The USA leads the allied bombing of Baghdad
Coalition Air Campaign Begins
Coalition aircraft begin sustained attacks on Iraqi command, air-defence and military targets.
Enforcement of UN Resolution 678
Military action begins after Iraq fails to meet the United Nations withdrawal deadline.
First Day of Operation Desert Storm
Saddam's forces face the opening day of the United States-led air and missile campaign.
First Scud Attack on Saudi Arabia
Iraq launches its first Scud missile toward Saudi Arabia during the opening phase.
Bombing of Dhahran
Iraq launches Scud missiles against Riyadh & Dhahran
Bombing of Israel
Iraq launches Scud missiles against Israel
Bombing of Riyadh
Iraq launches Scud missiles against Riyadh & Dhahran
First Scud Attacks on Israel
Iraq launches Scud missiles at Israel in an effort to disrupt the coalition.
Bombing of Israel
A Scud missile hit the Israeli city of Ramat Gan, after two coalition Patriots failed to intercept it. Three elderly people suffered fatal heart attacks, another 96 people were injured, and 20 apartment buildings were damaged.
Bombing of Israel
After this attack, the Israelis warned that if the US failed to stop the attacks, they would.
Bombing of Israel
At one point Israeli commandos boarded helicopters prepared to fly into Iraq but the mission was called off after a phone call from US Defence Secretary Dick Cheney
Bombing of Israel
reporting on the extent of coalition efforts to destroy Scuds and emphasizing that Israeli intervention could endanger US forces
Scud Missile Attacks
A Scud missile hit the Israeli city of Ramat Gan, after two coalition Patriots failed to intercept it. Three elderly people suffered fatal heart attacks, another 96 people were injured, and 20 apartment buildings were damaged.
Scud Missile Attacks
After this attack, the Israelis warned that if the US failed to stop the attacks, they would.
Scud Missile Attacks
At one point Israeli commandos boarded helicopters prepared to fly into Iraq but the mission was called off after a phone call from US Defence Secretary Dick Cheney
Scud Missile Attacks
reporting on the extent of coalition efforts to destroy Scuds and emphasizing that Israeli intervention could endanger US forces
Environmental Warfare
The spill creates a major wartime environmental disaster.
Kuwaiti Oil Facilities Opened
The action creates a severe Gulf environmental disaster.
Oil Released into Persian Gulf
Iraqi forces release large quantities of oil from Kuwaiti facilities.
Coalition Air Supremacy
Coalition commanders declare air supremacy after ten days of intensive operations.
Battle of Khafji
Iraqi forces attacked and occupied the lightly defended Saudi city of Khafji with tanks and infantry. The Battle of Khafji ended two days later when the Iraqis were driven back by the Saudi Arabian National Guard, supported by Qatari forces and US Marines
Capture of Khafi
Mounts an offensive across the Saudi frontier & captures Khafi, recovered 2 days later
Invasion of Saudi Arabia
Iraq invades Saudi Arabia
Invasion of Saudi Arabia
Iraqi forces attacked and occupied the lightly defended Saudi city of Khafji with tanks and infantry. The Battle of Khafji ended two days later when the Iraqis were driven back by the Saudi Arabian National Guard, supported by Qatari forces and US Marines
Iraqi Offensive toward Khafji
Saddam's forces cross the Saudi border and occupy parts of Khafji.
February
Al-Amiriyah Shelter Strike
A coalition strike destroys the Al-Amiriyah facility and kills many civilians sheltering inside.
Ceasefire
Iraq agreed to a Soviet-proposed ceasefire agreement
Conditional Withdrawal Proposal
Iraq offers withdrawal terms that the coalition rejects as conditional and incomplete.
Soviet-Brokered Withdrawal Offer
Saddam accepts a Soviet proposal containing conditions unacceptable to the coalition.
Rejection of Coalition Withdrawal Terms
Iraq fails to accept the coalition's unconditional withdrawal deadline.
Invasion of Iran
The Allied land offensive begins against Iraq
Scud Missile Attacks
Iraqi forces fired a Scud missile at an American barracks in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The missile attack killed 28 US military personnel
Iraqi Retreat from Kuwait
The retreat marks collapse of Iraq's occupation.
Withdrawal Order
Orders Iraqi forces to leave Kuwait during the coalition advance.
March
Rebellion of Rebels in Basra
A revolt against the Government begins in Basra & spreads to other Shiite cities
Rebellion of Rebels in Basra
A revolt against the Government begins in Basra & spreads to other Shiite cities
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.