what date did we invade iraq?
2003 invasion of Iraq
entailment
 On August 2 , 1990 , Saddam Hussein sent an invading force of Iraqi troops into Kuwait . According to the United States government Hussein 's forces would continue south into Saudi Arabia 's oil fields . The United States military deployment to Saudi Arabia , Operation Desert Shield , grew rapidly to become the largest American deployment since the Vietnam War . 

entailment
 Despite the success of the engagements between 29 January and 1 February , the Coalition did not launch its main offensive into Kuwait and Iraq until the night of 24 – 25 February . The invasion of Iraq was completed about 48 hours later . The Battle of Khafji served as a modern example of the ability of air power to serve a supporting role to ground forces . It offered the Coalition an indication of the manner in which Operation Desert Storm would be fought , but also hinted at future friendly @-@ fire casualties which accounted for nearly half of the American dead . 

entailment
 Early on the morning of January 17 , 1991 , allied forces launched the first attack , which included more than 4 @,@ 000 bombing runs by coalition aircraft . This pace would continue for the next four weeks , until a ground invasion was launched on February 24 , 1991 . Allied forces penetrated Iraqi lines and pushed toward Kuwait City while on the west side of the country , forces were intercepting the retreating Iraqi army . Bush made the decision to stop the offensive after a mere 100 hours . Critics labeled this decision premature , as hundreds of Iraqi forces were able to escape ; Bush responded by saying that he wanted to minimize U.S. casualties . Opponents further charged that Bush should have continued the attack , pushing Hussein 's army back to Baghdad , then removing him from power . Bush explained that he did not give the order to overthrow the Iraqi government because it would have " incurred incalculable human and political costs .... We would have been forced to occupy Baghdad and , in effect , rule Iraq . " 

entailment
 On August 1 , 1990 , Iraqi President Saddam Hussein sent the invading Iraqi forces into neighboring Kuwait , a small petroleum @-@ rich state long claimed by Iraq as part of its territory . This invasion sparked the initiation of the Persian Gulf War and it brought worldwide condemnation . An estimated 140 @,@ 000 Iraqi troops quickly took control of Kuwait City and moved on to the Saudi Arabia / Kuwait border . The United States had already begun to develop contingency plans for the defense of Saudi Arabia by the U.S. Central Command , headed by General Norman Schwarzkopf , because of its important petroleum reserves . 

entailment
 = = = Beginning of Iraqi offensive : 29 January = = = 
