Question 1

True or false: The United Nations authorized the use of force against Iraq in Resolution 678.

Accepted Answer

True. UN Resolution 678, passed in November 1990, authorized member states to use 'all necessary means' to eject Iraq from Kuwait.

Question 2

True or false: Saddam Hussein was captured by U.S. forces during the 1991 Gulf War.

Accepted Answer

False. Saddam was not captured until December 2003, during the Iraq War. In 1991, he remained in power and escaped coalition forces.

Question 3

True or false: The Gulf War was the first major conflict where stealth aircraft were used in combat.

Accepted Answer

True. The F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter made its combat debut in 1991, striking high-value targets in Baghdad with impunity.

Question 4

True or false: Iraq invaded Kuwait because Kuwait was overproducing oil and driving down prices.

Accepted Answer

True. Iraq accused Kuwait of slant-drilling and exceeding OPEC quotas, which hurt Iraq's oil revenues—a key reason for the invasion.

Question 5

True or false: The Gulf War ended in under 100 hours of ground combat.

Accepted Answer

True. The ground offensive lasted only 100 hours before coalition forces declared a ceasefire, making it one of the shortest major wars.

Question 6

True or false: Iraq used chemical weapons against coalition troops during the 1991 war.

Accepted Answer

False. Iraq did not use chemical weapons in 1991; they had used them earlier against Iran and Kurds, but feared massive retaliation this time.

Question 7

True or false: The coalition included troops from every Arab nation except Egypt.

Accepted Answer

False. Egypt was a key coalition member, sending troops. Many Arab nations joined, but Iraq's allies like Jordan and Yemen did not.

Question 8

True or false: The famous 'Highway of Death' retreat was bombed after a cease-fire had been declared.

Accepted Answer

False. The bombing of Iraqi forces on Highway 80 occurred before the ceasefire. After it was declared, attacks stopped, though controversy persists.

Gulf War 1991 Trivia Questions