WAR TROUBLES: GULF, SOMALIA

The 1990s were a tumultuous decade for members of the Canadian Armed Forces. They distinguished themselves during the Gulf War -- the first major post-Cold War conflict -- but had their reputation temporarily tarnished by a scandal in Somalia.

Problems in the Persian Gulf began in August of 1990, when Iraq invaded Kuwait. Almost immediately, the United Nations demanded the immediate, unconditional withdrawal of Iraqi troops. When Iraq failed to heed the order, the UN had little choice but to act. On January 16, 1991, UN coalition forces -- including Canadian troops -- led by the United States, began the first of thousands of bombing raids on Iraq in preparation for a ground offensive. By the time that ground offensive was initiated a little over a month later, Iraq was on the verge of surrender. The war ended on February 28.

While the Gulf War did much to boost the Canadian military's image, a subsequent scandal temporarily tarnished it. During a peacekeeping mission in Somalia in 1993, two unarmed civilians were shot -- allegedly for trying to steal from the Canadian compound -- and Canadian Airborne soldiers tortured and killed a Somali teenager.

The Somalia Commission of Inquiry -- which tabled its report in 1997 -- concluded that the Canadian Airborne Regiment was unfit for duty in Somalia, that Parliament should set clear guidelines for future peacekeeping missions, and that the military justice system needed major reform.