On January 17, 1991, Operation Desert Storm launched into action, kicking off the combat phase of what we now know as the Gulf War. A sweeping military coalition of 35 nations, spearheaded by the United States, set out with a singular goal: to drive Iraqi forces out of Kuwait. The campaign leaned heavily on precision airstrikes and cutting-edge technology, ushering in what many recognized as a fundamentally new chapter in modern warfare. The strategies deployed, the outcomes achieved, and the human stories woven throughout make this one of the most noteworthy military operations in recent history.

Fun facts:

  • Before Desert Storm got underway, there was Operation Desert Shield, which ran from August 1990 through January 1991, setting the stage for what was to come.
  • An impressive 35 nations joined forces for this operation, with major global players such as the U.S., U.K., France, and Saudi Arabia standing shoulder to shoulder in a remarkable display of international military cooperation.
  • Technology took center stage during Desert Storm. It represented one of the first major deployments of precision-guided munitions, and because televised footage of the strikes was so widely broadcast, people dubbed it "The Video Game War."
  • For 42 days, coalition forces dominated the skies in an intense air campaign. Then came the ground offensive, which wrapped up in a stunning 100 hours — a powerful demonstration of military efficiency that liberated Kuwait while keeping coalition casualties minimal.
  • The environmental toll was staggering — retreating Iraqi forces ignited over 600 Kuwaiti oil wells, triggering one of the most devastating environmental disasters the world has ever seen.
  • Few conflicts before this one had ever been televised live, but Desert Storm brought the harsh realities of war directly into living rooms around the globe in real-time.
  • By 28th February 1991, Operation Desert Storm had reached its conclusion, with Kuwait finally freed from Saddam Hussein's grip.
  • On 28th February, President George H.W. Bush declared a ceasefire. By that point, most Iraqi troops had either perished in combat, fled the battlefield, or laid down their arms in surrender.