After the Iran-Iraqi War of 1980-88, Iraq had owned debts to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. After the war was over, Iraq thought that the debts will be forgiven, because there were some interests of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in the war. The debt was not cancelled.
Iraq accused Kuwait of two things. First, Kuwait had started manufacturing oil in huge number, exceeding a pre-described quota, which had led to lowering of oil prices. Iraq felt this as a threat because their major source of income was export of oil.

Second, Kuwait was drawing oil from Rumaila oil field which Iraq alleged that they owned half of the oil field. They accused Kuwait of stealing oil from their portion.

The initial invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi forces occurred on August 2, 1990 and sparked other Middle Eastern nations to seek aid from the United States of America as well as other NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) allied nations.
By 1990, NATO included members such as: the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Spain, and Turkey sought help . Among middle east countries who sought help were Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

By the second week the United States was sending 40,000 troops to Saudi Arabia and fifty war ships to the Gulf. In January the number of US and Coalition troops was over 500,000. The military coalition consisted of thirty-five countries.
On January 16 coordinated air strikes began with Stealth bombers against targets in Kuwait and Iraq including Baghdad. The allies launched a ground assault on February 24, within two days The Iraqi military was collapsing.