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Baghdad braces for war

Unlike any conflict before, the Gulf War of 1991 played out in a brave new world of biological warfare. A round-the-clock television audience was captivated by the flying missiles that lit up the night sky. Canadian troops, sent abroad for combat for the first time since the Korean War joined the Allied forces to fight Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. On the surface, the occupation ended swiftly and decisively as the Iraqi forces retreated. But as was evident over the next decade, the problems remained unresolved.

The UN deadline for Iraq's retreat from Kuwait is only hours away. In Baghdad the war drums beat loudly. Citizens take to the street, raising their rifles in support of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. In this report, CBC foreign correspondent Patrick Brown talks to the people of Baghdad as the UN deadline draws near.
• The zero hour for war passed on Jan. 15, 1991. The United Nations set the January deadline for Iraq's retreat from Kuwait on Nov. 29, 1990. Saddam remained firm through all of the negotiations and threats of economic sanctions. On Jan. 17, 1991, the American-led Operation Desert Storm began military action against Iraq.
• The name "Baghdad" derives from two Persian words meaning "founded by God."
Medium: Television
Program: CBC Television News Special
Broadcast Date: Jan. 15, 1991
Host: Peter Mansbridge
Reporter: Patrick Brown
Duration: 2:46

Last updated: February 3, 2012

Page consulted on April 12, 2013

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