Saddam Hussein's tanks had barely crossed into Kuwait when the United Nations gave Iraq an ultimatum: get out by January 15, 1991, or face the consequences. When Iraq refused, the largest military coalition since World War II sprang into action, led by General Norman Schwarzkopf. On January 16, air raids lit up the night sky as US, British, and Arab warplanes unleashed a fierce barrage against Iraqi targets. The operation was a masterclass in military precision, with stealth fighters, Apache helicopters, and Tomahawk cruise missiles working in tandem to dismantle Iraq's defenses. As the bombs fell, Iraqi troops were caught off guard, and their supposedly formidable army began to crumble.