Question

What was the primary goal of the United States and its allies in the Persian Gulf War in 1991?

Answer 1

Liberate Kuwait from Iraqi forces.

Answer 2

To push the regime of Saddam Hussein back within its borders in Iraq, after Hussein had sent troops to invade neighboring Kuwait.

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 sent forces to the Persian Gulf to begin 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 of Desert Storm included forces from 32 nations was under the supreme command of General Norman Schwarzkopf of the United States.