Did You Know? 35 Years Since the 100-Hour Ground War

This February marked the 35th anniversary of the Operation Desert Storm ground offensive, which began on February 24, 1991. After 38 days of air operations, coalition forces launched a sweeping ground assault that would last just 100 hours—liberating Kuwait and delivering one of the most decisive military victories in modern history.

Often referred to as the culmination of the “100 Days” of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm combined, the campaign showcased the full power of joint and coalition warfare. U.S. and allied forces executed a massive “left hook” maneuver through the desert, overwhelming Iraqi defenses and demonstrating the effectiveness of speed, precision, and coordination on a global scale.

The road to Desert Storm began after the long Iran-Iraq War ended in a fragile United Nations-brokered ceasefire in 1988. By mid-1990, tensions in the region remained high. Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein accused neighboring Kuwait of overproducing oil and drilling from disputed border fields, making it impossible for Iraq to recover economically from its wartime debt.

Iraq invaded Kuwait on August 2, 1990. The invasion was swiftly condemned by the United Nations, the Arab League, and the United States. At Saudi Arabia’s request, U.S. and coalition forces deployed to the region under Operation Desert Shield, building a multinational force to deter further Iraqi aggression. After Iraq refused to withdraw, the U.N. authorized the use of force. On January 17, 1991, a massive U.S.-led air campaign—Operation Desert Storm—began, targeting Iraqi air defenses, command centers, and military infrastructure, setting the stage for the decisive 100-hour ground offensive that followed in late February.