- In August 1990, Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait, a small, oil-rich nation located on the Persian Gulf.
- Iraq's leader, Saddam Hussein, claimed that Kuwait was historically part of Iraq and that he was annexing it to protect Iraq's interests.
- However, most countries in the world condemned Iraq's actions and demanded that it withdraw from Kuwait.
- In response, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 660, which called for Iraq to immediately and unconditionally withdraw from Kuwait.
- When Iraq refused to comply with the resolution, the United States and its allies launched a military operation to force Iraq out of Kuwait.