Operation Desert Shield was a military operation initiated by the United States in August 1990. Its primary goal was to protect Saudi Arabia from potential invasion by Iraq, following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. The operation involved the deployment of U.S. and coalition forces to the region to deter further aggression. As part of Operation Desert Shield, a large buildup of troops and equipment occurred, leading to the establishment of a strong military presence in the Persian Gulf. This operation set the stage for Operation Desert Storm, which aimed to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation in early 1991.