A coalition of 34 countries acted against Iraq after it invaded Kuwait. During the war the Iraqi army, led by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, launched around 40 Scud missiles at Israel. There was a concern (which later turned out to be unfounded) that the missiles might have chemical warheads, and gas masks and chemical protection kits were distributed to civilians. Despite extensive preparations, at the request of the United States Israel refrained from a military response.