Photo Gallery: Canada’s Role in the Persian Gulf War 35 Years Later

By Canadian Press on February 27, 2026.

Saturday marks 35 years since the Persian Gulf War ended, but Canadians who were deployed there have been fighting another battle — getting better recognition for their role in the conflict.

Veterans have long advocated for their service to be designated as wartime instead of “special duty” by the federal government.

About 4,500 Canadians were deployed to the Middle East in 1990 and 1991 in a United States-led campaign to liberate Kuwait, which was annexed by Saddam Hussein’s forces.

It was also the first major conflict for the Canadian military since the Korean War in 1953.

Here is a look at Canada’s role in the conflict through the eyes of photojournalists from The Canadian Press.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 27, 2026.

The Canadian Press