The international community responded immediately with condemnation and economic sanctions, and then with military action by a coalition of countries, under the name Operation Desert Storm. Hussein's takeover of Kuwait occurred on August 2, 1990. That same day, his actions were denounced unanimously by the United Nations Security Council, demanding that Hussein's forces retreat from Kuwait. On August 6, the Security Council banned all trade with Iraq. On August 9, the United States began a defense of Kuwait, called Operation Desert Shield. By November, the UN Security Council resolved to use force against Iraq unless they withdrew from Kuwait by January 1, 1991. Since that did not happen, Operation Desert Storm commenced on January 16, 1991. The international military effort that included forces from 32 nations was under the supreme command of General Norman Schwarzkopf of the United States.
