The Gulf War, also known as the Persian Gulf War, was a conflict that took place from August 1990 until February 1991. It was a conflict between Iraq and a coalition of 35 countries, led by the United States, with the aim of liberating Kuwait from Iraq's invasion. The war was also sometimes referred to as Operation Desert Storm and the First Gulf War. Other synonyms for the Gulf War might include the Iraq War, the Kuwaiti War, or the Gulf Conflict. Regardless of the term used, the Gulf War had a significant impact on the Middle East and the world at large.