As the last Saddam Hussein loyalists fled, the United States and its coalition partners declared Iraq's liberation complete, officially ending combat operations in Operation Desert Storm. This marked a decisive victory for the international coalition, liberating Kuwait from Iraqi occupation and crippling Saddam's military might. The six-week campaign saw a stunning display of military prowess, with coalition forces conducting a daring ground assault, precision airstrikes, and a massive buildup of troops in Saudi Arabia. As the dust settled, Iraq's defeat was welcomed by the international community, and the stage was set for a new era of Middle Eastern politics.