Operation 'Desert Storm' propaganda leaflet featuring a bomb
Date1991
Object number00019275
NameLeaflet
MediumInk, lithographic print on paper
DimensionsOverall: 75 x 154 mm, 0.001 kg
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection
Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionThis leaflet written in Iraqi script was produced as part of Operation 'Desert Storm' propaganda in 1991. Operation Desert Storm, was the United States name for the airland action taken against Iraq during the 1991 Gulf War. Propaganda leaflets and safe conduct passes were dropped over Iraqi troops by the United States airforce.
The translation of this leaflet states "Warning! This is a demonstration only. Consider if this had been a real bomb. We wish to safeguard innocent men. Saddam Hussein is on a path of destruction and inevitable death. We desire to notify innocent men of the true facts. Saddam is the cause. The multinational forces are able to deliver a lightning attack on any place. Warning!"HistoryOperation Desert Storm was the name given to the massive air operation undertaken during the 1991 Gulf War, by the United Nations authorised Coalition Forces led by the United States. The Saddam Hussein orchestrated invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi troops on 2 August 1990 heralded the start of the Persian Gulf War. Following two days of aerial, naval and land combat, Iraqi troops gained control of Kuwait. Despite the undertaking of diplomatic sanctions against Iraq in early August ,including the United Nations Resolution 660 demanding the withdrawal of Iraqi troops and the UN Resolution 661 authorising economic sanctions on Iraq, Hussein installed a puppet regime in Kuwait. On August 8 1990, he then installed his cousin Ali Hassan al-Majid as the governor of Kuwait.
On 29 November 1990, the United Nations issued a deadline of 15 January 1991 for Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait, under the security council resolution 678. The resolution enabled coalition forces to use "all necessary means" to force Iraqi troops out of Kuwait after the deadline. Saddam Hussein's calls for compromise and conditions under which Iraq would withdraw from Kuwait were rejected. On 17 January 1991 the coalition forces began an extensive aerial bombing campaign, named Operation Desert Storm. The campaign had a three pronged approach. The first aim of the campaign was to destroy the Iraqi air force and anti-aircraft facilities; the second to destroy command and communication facilities and the third to target military targets throughout Iraq and Kuwait. The Coalition forces dominated the Iraqi troops with their technologically advanced air capabilities. Only 75 coalition aircraft were lost in over 100,000 sorties, 44 of which were the result of Iraqi action. A ground assault followed the aerial campaign which was launched on 23 February 1991. On 26 February 1991, Iraqi troops began retreating from Kuwait, and on 28 February a cease-fire was declared by American President George Bush, 100 hours after the ground campaign had begun.SignificanceThis leaflet represents the type of airborne propaganda undertaken by Coalition forces during the Gulf War. These leaflets were dropped by 110 different aircraft sorties between 30 December 1990 and 28 February 1991.