Page 51 - Le Operazioni Interforze e Multinazionali nella Storia Militare - ACTA Tomo II

691
ActA
Joint Operations
UAE Armed Forces Participation in Kuwait’s Liberation War
(Gulf War / Desert Storm Operation)

Saeed Hamad Al KAlBANY

Introduction
he United Arab Emirates was founded on December 2 1971, and it joined the
nd
th
T Arab League on December 6 following creation of the Federation. It also joined
th
the United Nations on December 9 1971 to become State No. 132, joining the inter-
national organizations as part of its commitment to the UN charter and international
conventions.
The United Arab Emirates honors international charters and agreements, and it is a
peace and security loving nation. Its founder, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (May
God Rest His Soul in Peace), once said that “We are a nation that seeks peace, respects
neighboring countries and cares for friendly nations, but our need to build a strong army
defending our nation does exist and continues to exist, and we are not building an army
to invade or fight other nations but to defend ourselves”.

UAE Armed Forces Role in Kuwait’s Liberation War
As part of the international coalition forces, UAE Armed Forces participated in the
Gulf war following the Iraqi Republic’s annexation of the sovereign state of Kuwait on
nd
August 2 1990, and the international coalition managed to liberate Kuwait on February
th
27 1991.
This paper will discuss the stance of the United Arab Emirates from the aggression
through humanitarian and field operations and how the UAE Armed Forces joined and
participated with the international coalition forces in the joint operations, leading to Ku-
wait’s liberation in February 1991.
This paper will also discuss how to achieve victory with minimal casualties and pro-
vide conclusions on the causes leading to the success of Operation Desert Storm.

Stance of the United Arab Emirates from the Aggression
The stance of the United Arab Emirates toward Kuwait’s occupation is summarized
in the following three points:
1. Complete rejection of Iraq’s annexation of the State of Kuwait.
2. Attempts to resolve the conflict peacefully through the immediate and uncondi-
tional exit of the Iraqi Army from Kuwait, and reinstatement of the legitimate ruler;
Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmed Al Subah (May God Rest his Soul in Peace)
3. Full support and provision of all means of political, popular and military support to