The first resolution was United Nations Security Council Resolution 660 was passed the day of the invasion, a relatively simple resolution condemning the invasion and demanding a withdrawal. This resolution was passed near unanimously, with 14 votes for and Yemen the only member abstaining.
Four days later, more definitive action was taken, in the form of Resolution 661, which noted Iraq's refusal to comply with Resolution 660 and took steps to place international sanctions via Chapter VII United Nations Charter. It banned all exports from Iraq, Kuwait or either countries' nationals and banned all imports and investment aside from humanitarian aid. Yemen and Cuba abstained from the vote, and the other 13 members voted for it.
On August 9th, the Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 662, which declared that the annexation was illegal under any circumstances.
On the 18th, the Security Council passed Resolution 664 unanimously. It demanded Iraq comply and facilitate the release of all foreign nationals and take no action that would jeopardize any foreign citizens. It also authorized a report from the Secretary-General on compliance with the resolutions.
A week later, Resolution 665 was passed, with abstentions from Cuba and Yemen that authorized a naval blockade to enforce the embargo imposed in Resolution 661, 3 weeks earlier. The resolution fell short of invoking Article 42, Chapter VII, which would have made the blockade legally enforceable, instead relying on the cooperation of the member states. The blockade was enforced by coalition forces and led by the United States.
On September 13th, 1990, United Nations Security Council Resolution 666 was passed with 13 votes for and two votes against, from Cuba and Yemen, one of only two resolutions on the issues with votes against. The resolution asked the committee to review the humanitarian situation in Iraq and Kuwait and provide humanitarian assistance when it deemed necessary. This was a departure from Resolution 661, which had allowed for all humanitarian aid, despite the blockade. When it voted against, Cuba declared the resolution illegal under the Geneva convention because it was "using starvation as a weapon of war."
Three days later, following the abduction of several foreign nationals on diplomatic nations, the Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 667, a simple resolution that condemned the invasion of Kuwait and demanded the release of abducted foreign nationals.
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Resolution 669, passed unanimously on September 24, dealt with the increasing numbers of aid requests from nations adversely effected by Resolution 661. It called on member states to assist the 21 states hurt by the sanctions.
The next day, Resolution 670 was passed, which called on nations to more strictly enforce the Iraqi sanctions, preventing takeoff of cargo-bearing aircraft from member nations and the prevention of Iraqi ships entering foreign ports, except for humanitarian purposes. Cuba was the only nation to vote against the resolution, with all 14 other nations, including Yemen, voting for it.
Resolution 674 was passed on October 29th, with 13 votes for and 2 abstentions. After over a month without action from the Security Council, it condemned the invasion and reaffirmed UN commitment to international peace.
After another month of inaction, on November 28th, Resolution 677 was passed unanimously, condemning Iraqi attempts to destroy Kuwait's government records and alter demographic information about the country.
United Nations Security Council Resolution 678 was adopted on November 29th, 1990. The resolution called on Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait by January 15th, 1991. If Iraq should fail to retreat, member states were compelled to use "all necessary means" to forcibly remove them. The resolution passed with 12 votes for, 2 votes against from Yemen and Cuba, and an abstention from The People's Republic of China. China, having veto power would have killed the resolution with a vote against. This resolution formed the legal basis for the Gulf War, as Iraq failed to meet the deadline set by the Resolution.
Great article on the United Nations' response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait at various moments during the time. I liked your specific description of each resolution as you moved chronologically through the whole event in your writing. This provided me with a deeper understanding of the UN response to this invasion and made your information easy to follow.
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