A Gulf War timeline

Aug. 2, 1990: Iraqi forces invade Kuwait and by noon, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is in control of “nearly one-quarter of the world’s proven oil reserves.” The UN demands immediate withdrawal. “Iraq has emerged in the past several years as the Arab world’s strongest and most militant military power,” the Star reports, with a “vast arsenal of chemical and conventional weapons.”

Aug. 10: Prime Minister Brian Mulroney announces that Canadian destroyers Athabaskan and Terra Nova, supply ship Protecteur and Sea King helicopters will head for the Gulf in mid-September.

Sept. 14: Mulroney announces Canada will also deploy a squadron of CF-18 fighter jets.

Nov. 23: Top-secret Operation “Broadsword” outlines a plan to support a 12,000-person Canadian brigade in combat for 30 days. It is rejected immediately as unaffordable and risky for public opinion. There will be no ground troops in combat.

Jan. 17, 1991: With a UN deadline to withdraw ignored by Iraq, at 2:50 a.m. local time the air war begins. Iraq is not able to mount substantial counterattack because of the devastating allied air campaign.

Jan. 19: Iraq releases millions of litres of oil from sea terminals, planning to set fire to the oil on the surface of the Gulf to prevent an invasion.

Feb. 24: Allied ground invasion begins in Iraq and Kuwait. Canadian CF-18s carry out bombing missions. Between Feb. 24 and Feb 28, Canadian pilots — “Desert Cats” — carry out 56 bombing missions.

Feb. 28: With Iraqi resistance collapsed, U.S. declares a ceasefire. War ends, but Saddam remains in power. Regional stability remains elusive.