Arabian Peninsula/Persian Gulf D+19 (28 July, 1987)

0100- The destruction of Madrid and Gorki on the afternoon of D+18 brought a temporary pause to military and diplomatic activity across the Persian Gulf region. It was unclear what the future would bring in the aftermath of the limited nuclear exchange. Governments in the Middle East became increasingly anxious as the minutes and hours …

Arabian Peninsula/Persian Gulf D+15 (24 July, 1987) Part I

0015- The 328th Guards Airborne Regiment surrenders. In accordance with the agreement reached between the US and Soviet commanders, the Soviet paratroopers will be processed and interned as prisoners of war. US troops will be solely responsible for the welfare of the prisoners. CENTCOM has issued strict orders forbidding the Saudis from taking any role …

Arabian Peninsula/Persian Gulf D+14 (23 July, 1987) Part II

0420- Thirty minutes before sunrise, reconnaissance elements of the Iraqi 1st Division (Mechanized) crossed from Kuwaiti territory into Saudi Arabia north of Khafji. Behind it was a battle force comprised of two mechanized infantry battalions and a company of tanks. 118 miles to the west of Khafji near where Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the neutral …

Arabian Peninsula/Persian Gulf D+11 (20 July, 1987) Part II

Meetings between Soviet diplomats and senior Iraqi government officials lasted through the morning. Around the noon hour military officials from both nations joined the discussions. Saddam Hussein was gradually coming around though it was unclear if this was the result of his own realizations, or from the evolving iron fist in a velvet glove approach …

Arabian Peninsula/Persian Gulf D+11 (20 July, 1987) Part I

Author’s Note: Apologies for breaking this post up into parts. I’m out of town for a day or two and writing time is limited. I’ll wrap this up on Saturday evening. Again, I’m very sorry.   As dawn approached it was evident to all Soviet diplomats and military officers presently in Iraq that Saddam’s much …