The conflict involving the United States, Iraq, and a coalition of other nations in 1990 was known as the Gulf War. The war commenced in response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in August 1990. The United Nations quickly imposed sanctions against Iraq and called for military action to restore Kuwait's sovereignty. A coalition of 34 countries, led by the United States, launched Operation Desert Shield to defend Saudi Arabia and later Operation Desert Storm to liberate Kuwait. The military campaign achieved a swift victory, with coalition forces successfully pushing Iraqi troops out of Kuwait by February 1991, significantly altering the geopolitical dynamics in the region.