In a bold show of international unity, the United Nations Security Council slapped a global trade embargo on Iraq, a drastic response to Saddam Hussein's brazen invasion of neighboring Kuwait. The embattled Kuwaiti government, exiled in Saudi Arabia, cheered the move, which aimed to strangle Iraq's economy and force a withdrawal. With the world watching, the UN resolution marked a rare moment of unity, as 13 of 15 council members voted in favor, with Cuba and Yemen abstaining. The embargo would go on to cripple Iraq's economy, setting the stage for a looming international crisis.