What happened on February 24? - How 100 Hours in 1991 Redefined Middle Eastern Power and Beyond

A major military operation reshaped Middle Eastern politics in 1991. Allied forces launched a ground offensive on 24 February, swiftly liberating Kuwait from Iraqi control. The campaign lasted just 100 hours but had lasting consequences for the region.

In other developments, Germany's drug regulator approved the first at-home COVID-19 rapid tests in 2021, marking a shift in pandemic management. Meanwhile, cultural and scientific milestones—from royal engagements to groundbreaking discoveries—also left their mark on history.

The Gulf War's ground offensive began on 24 February 1991, as US-led coalition troops advanced into Iraq. Their goal was clear: end Saddam Hussein's occupation of Kuwait. Within four days, Iraqi forces retreated, and Kuwait was freed.

The operation showcased the power of multilateral military action under UN authorisation. It reinforced US dominance in the Middle East but left Saddam Hussein in power. The aftermath saw no-fly zones, sanctions, and unresolved tensions, setting the stage for future conflicts.

Decades earlier, in 1896, French physicist Antoine Henri Becquerel revealed his discovery of uranium's natural radioactivity. His findings laid the foundation for nuclear science and later medical imaging.

In 1981, Buckingham Palace announced the engagement of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. The news captivated global audiences, foreshadowing a wedding watched by millions.

Germany also saw key moments in its legal and medical history. In 1971, the Constitutional Court upheld a ban on Klaus Mann's novel Mephisto: Novel of a Career. Fifty years later, in 2021, the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices granted emergency approvals for the first three at-home COVID-19 rapid tests, aiding pandemic response.

The year 2025 marked the passing of Roberta Flack, the celebrated American pop singer known for hits like Killing Me Softly. Her influence on soul and R&B endured for generations.

Notable births included Israeli historian Yuval Noah Harari and WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum, both born in 1976. German writer Erich Loest was born in 1926, while American philosopher Judith Butler entered the world in 1956.

The 1991 Gulf War offensive demonstrated the strength of coalition forces but left unresolved tensions in Iraq. Decades later, its effects still shape Middle Eastern geopolitics. Meanwhile, advances in science, law, and culture—from Becquerel's discovery to rapid COVID-19 testing—reflect how history unfolds across different fields. Each event, whether military, medical, or cultural, contributed to the world as it stands today.