On January 16, 1991, the United States and its allies launched Operation Desert Storm in response to Iraqs invasion of Kuwait. The airstrike campaign began at 2 a.m. local time, targeting military installations across Iraq. This marked the official start of the Gulf War, which would last several weeks. The operation eventually led to the liberation of Kuwait but resulted in significant casualties, particularly among Iraqi forces. The war had long-lasting geopolitical consequences for the Middle East.