Kuwait commemorates the 35th anniversary of the first airstrike of Operation Desert Storm, launched on January 17, 1991, which began the military campaign to liberate the country from Iraqi occupation. The operation followed the UN Security Council’s deadline for Iraq’s withdrawal and involved a massive international coalition.
The initial strikes, carried out by over 1,800 coalition aircraft, targeted key Iraqi infrastructure and air defenses. Kuwaiti air forces played a significant role in the campaign, which combined advanced technology and multinational coordination. Ground operations concluded with Iraq’s withdrawal on February 26, and the liberation was formally announced on February 27, 1991, ending a seven-month occupation.
