[2] The task given to the Division Daguet, which was composed of units drawn from more than 25 regiments, was the capture of the Al Salman Air Base some 150 km inside Iraqi territory, passing through two intermediate objectives designated "Rochambeau" and "Chambord".

The offensive was launched on 24 February 1991 at 7 a.m and the mission accomplished in no more than 48 hours by crushing the Iraqi 45th Mechanized infantry Division, which the French troops encountered on the way.

The main battles were aerial and ground combat within Iraq, Kuwait, and bordering areas of Saudi Arabia.

In response, French President François Mitterrand increased the number of troops and aircraft deploying to Saudi Arabia.

Initially, the French operated independently under national command and control, but coordinated closely with the Americans, Saudis and CENTCOM.

The role of the Division Daguet and the US XVIII Airborne Corps was to protect the theatre left flank and perhaps draw off Iraqi tactical and operational reserves.

Notably, on 20 September, the Iraqi ship Al Taawin Al Aradien was intercepted by the US cruiser USS San Jacinto, the Spanish frigate Infanta Cristina and the fleet escort Du Chayla; she refused to comply until warning shots were fired, but refused to be boarded by anyone but the French.

[3] Prior to the start of air strikes in January 1991, coalition naval forces were operating in the Persian Gulf to enforce sanctions against Iraq.

Along with other nations, French warships conducted boarding operations against ships suspected of breaking the sanctions against Iraq.

On one such occasion, on 2 October 1990, the French aviso Doudart de Lagree intercepted the North Korean vessel, Sam Il Po, which was carrying plywood panels.

After a brief battle, supported by French Army missile-armed Aérospatiale Gazelle armed helicopters, they controlled the objective and captured 2,500 prisoners.

During the conflict, two paratroopers of the 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment, 1e RPMIa; Sergeant Schmitt and Corporal-Chef Éric Cordier were killed while clearing unexploded U.S. submunitions near Al-Salman on 26 February 1991.

Two Legionnaires of the 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment were killed in March and April near Kuwait City, and three died in May, including two in car accidents.