В 1991 году закончились безрезультатно все persistent attempts, made by the world community, to persuade the regime of Hussein to withdraw the army from Kuwait. As a result, the anti-Iraqi coalition, whose multinational force was concentrated in the Persian Gulf area, launched military operations in accordance with the mandate of the UN Security Council. The operation was conventionally called "Desert Storm".
The multinational force was represented indirectly or directly by 34 countries led by the United States. On the quality of ammunition and weapons, combat capabilities, the advantage was on the side of America and its allies.
According to foreign media reports, the general plan, which contained Operation Desert Storm, presupposed the conduct of hostilities in several stages.
The first stage involved a blow to the keytroops and facilities, both in Iraq and Kuwait. At the same time, it was intended to use aviation, naval forces and marines, and Tomahok cruise missiles. The primary targets for which the Storm in the Desert was directed were air defense systems, combat aviation, launch missile positions (ground-ground), zones of concentration of troops, the main points of military and state administration.
The second stage of military operations includedthe disabling of the most important elements of the Iraqi military-industrial complex, as well as the infrastructure of Iraq. With the use of Tomahok cruise missiles and a series of systematic air strikes, it was also planned to destroy the mechanized and tank connections of the country.
In the third stage, "Desert Storm" was supposed toto move to ground offensive movements by joint efforts of marines and ground forces with the support of deck, tactical and strategic aircraft, together with special forces, airborne and airborne forces.
At the fourth stage, military actions werethe offensives of the Marine Corps and the ground forces that are completing the defeat of Iraqi troops in Kuwait, in order to restore its territorial and state integrity.
It was intended to conduct an operation fortwo or three weeks. As a result, the Iraqi armed forces were to suffer irreparable damage in technology and living forces. In addition, it was assumed that the "Desert Storm" would significantly undermine military and economic opportunities, which, in turn, would lead to the absolute surrender of the regime of Hussein.
However, in practice, military operations did not take placequite in accordance with what was planned by the plan. This, in turn, intensified the conflict. "Desert Storm", which began unexpectedly in 1991, January 17 at night, allowed the disorganization of the Iraqi system of command of the military forces, partially eliminating the objects of air defense of Iraq.
However, from the second day of military operations, the armythe multinational forces were provided with air defense and ground-based air defenses of the enemy. The Iraqi government carried out operational disguise, using pre-prepared false radio networks and facilities, fire and launch positions, alternate aerodromes.
After some hesitation, the anti-Iraqi coalition(The United States and its allies) chose the option of continuing the air campaign, causing systematic missile and bomb strikes. At the same time, the Marine Corps and the ground forces were trained in the beginning of a large-scale operation.
It should be noted that the continuation ofair strikes changed the nature and purpose of the war, so it was aimed at eliminating the Iraqi economy. Going beyond the UN Security Council resolution, which called for the "liberation of Kuwait", military operations were conducted in the interests of overthrowing the ruling regime by inflicting irreparable damage on the military and economic potential.
Thus, the continuation of the war increased the number of problems unpredictable in the nature of the consequences.
