Operation Desert Storm, popularly known as the first Gulf War, was the U.S. - Allied response to Iraq's attempt to overwhelm neighboring Kuwait. On August 2, 1990, Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait and then on the morning of January 16, 1991, under the auspicies of a UN resolution, Allied forces began the first phase of Operation Desert Storm, also known as Operation Desert Shield. This was a decisive victory for the coalition forces, which liberated Kuwait and advanced into Iraqi territory. The coalition ceased their advance, and declared a cease-fire 100 hours after the ground campaign started.