Kuwait was invaded by Iraq.
Saddam Hussein, then leader of Iraq, sent troops to take over the neighboring small nation of Kuwait on August 2, 1990. That same day, his actions were denounced unanimously by the United Nations Security Council, demanding that Hussein's forces retreat from Kuwait. On August 6, the Security Council banned all trade with Iraq. On August 9, the United States sent forces to the Persian Gulf to begin a defense of Kuwait, called Operation Desert Shield. By November, the UN Security Council resolved to use force against Iraq unless they withdrew from Kuwait by January 1, 1991. Since that did not happen, Operation Desert Storm commenced on January 16, 1991. The international military effort of Desert Storm included forces from 32 nations was under the supreme command of General Norman Schwarzkopf of the United States.