30th Anniversary of Gulf War

RIDE TO REMEMBER

November 14, 2020

Ride in support of those who served in OPERATION FRICTION. This virtual event allows participants to select their own route and ride 30kms, in honor those who served and continue to serve in Kuwait and the Middle East. Raise support for those who served in OP FRICTION and those still serving in OPERATION IMPACT.

30th anniversary of the Gulf War

Thirty years ago, on August 10, 1990, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney announced that Canada would send two ships to the Gulf as part of OPERATION FRICTION, which evolved into a squadron of fighter jets on September 14. 1990 in Doha, Qatar.

The CF-18s began sweeping and escorting missions on January 20, 1991, as part of the liberation efforts and the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 678, adopted on November 29. 1990. Resolution 678 gave Iraq until January 15, 1991 to withdraw from Kuwait.

1 Canadian Field Hospital from Canadian Forces Base Petawawa (530 personnel) began arriving at al-Qusaymah in northern Saudi Arabia on January 24. The hospital was attached to a British Army unit and cared for coalition and Iraqi wounded. Members of the Royal Canadian Regiment and Le Royal 22e Regiment also provided security at the Canadian facilities in Doha, Qatar.

Between August 10, 1990 and April 16, 1991, more than 4,000 CAF troops were deployed on OPERATION FRICTION. OPERATION DESERT STORM, which was the combat phase of the coalition forces of 35 member states, began on January 17, 1991 and lasted until February 28, 1991.

Global Coalition Against Daesh

Today, Canada's commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East continues as we recognize Canada's military contribution to the defeat of Daesh, a violent extremist organization that rose to global prominence in 2014 when it seized territory in Syria and Iraq, displacing millions of people and causing the death of thousands.

OPERATION IMPACT began as the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) support to the Global Coalition to degrade and ultimately defeat Daesh in Iraq and Syria. Canada joined the Global Coalition when it was formed in September 2014.The Coalition has 79 members, including many of Canada's closest allies and partners.

Since the Coalition began operation. Daesh has lost more than 98% of the territory it once occupied. Over 7.7 million people have been liberated from its occupation. Between October 2014 up to today over 7000 CAF soldiers have served in Op IMPACT.