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Canada and the Gulf War
  • The Persian Gulf War (also known as the Gulf War) took place between 1990-1991 and was an international conflict triggered by Iraq invading Kuwait in August 1990.
  • Shortly after the invasion, several countries in the international community (including Canada) joined the American-led multinational Coalition to restore freedom in Kuwait.
  • Under UN approval to use force, the American's led Operation Desert Shield to prevent further force by Iraqi forces.
  • Canada was involved in the war from the beginning sending warships and warplanes to the Gulf as part of the Coalition and the Canadian Armed Forces established a joint headquarters in Manamar, Bahrain, and Canada provided medical, communications, logistics, and security units to help in the war.
  • Operation Friction was Canada's military operation in the Gulf War where 4,500 Canadian Forces personnel were deployed.
  • The US-led Operation Desert Storm saw the launch of an air campaign and an armoured ground infantry that ultimately led to the Iraqis being pushed out of Kuwait, which fulfilled the Coalition's mandate to liberate Kuwait and led to the end of the war.
  • Canada played a strong role in the Gulf War alongside the international Coalition members to liberate the Kuwaiti people and Canadian women in particular played a vital role as it was the first time women were sent to war in combat roles.
Citation

Canada. Veterans Affairs Canada. The Canadian Armed Forces and the Gulf War. 2017. https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/classroom/persian-gulf

Overlapping Topics
Military, Defence, and Peacekeeping
Policy Type
Policy Report