What conflict was initiated by Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait in 1991?

Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait in 1991 directly led to the Gulf War, often referred to as the First Gulf War. This conflict emerged when Iraq, under Hussein's leadership, sought to annex Kuwait, citing historical claims and economic reasons. The invasion prompted a swift international response, leading to a coalition of nations, including the United States and several allies, forming to expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait.

The Gulf War was characterized by a significant military campaign known as Operation Desert Storm, which was a specific phase within the broader conflict. However, the name of the overall conflict is more commonly recognized as the Gulf War. This distinction is crucial because Operation Desert Storm refers to the combat operation that took place after coalition forces assembled to counter the invasion, while Gulf War encompasses the entire events surrounding that conflict.

The other options mentioned (First Iraq War and Operation Enduring Freedom) do not directly apply to this context. The term "First Iraq War" is not widely used to describe this specific conflict, as it conflates it with later conflicts in the region. Operation Enduring Freedom refers to the U.S.-led military operation in Afghanistan that began in 2001 in response to the September 11 attacks, making it entirely unrelated to the situation