Contending For Iraq
Feb. 28, 1991: President Bush halts rapid advance of coalition forces. Anti-Saddam protests erupt in Basra and spread through Shiite-dominated southern Iraq.
March 6: Kurdish rebels in the north say thousands of guerrillas are engaging government forces.
March 8: Republican Guard troops loyal to Saddam regain control of Basra after fierce fighting.
March 12: Iraqi opposition groups meeting in Beirut announce plans to replace Saddam.
March 15: Republican Guard units storm holy city of Karbala. Thousands of refugees flee toward Kuwait.
March 16: Saddam appeals for support, promises democratic reforms once revolt is crushed.
March 20: Kurdish rebels take over major oil producing city of Kirkuk and claim control of Kurdish region.
March 27: Riots break out in the border town of Safwan, as Iraqi refugees mob Saudi food aid trucks.
March 28: Baghdad launches offensive against Kurdish rebels.
April 1: Loyalists crush Kurdish rebellion in Erbil, Dahuk, and Kirkuk.
April 2: Turkish soldiers block borders against at least 220,000 Kurdish refugees fleeing Iraq.
