 During the invasion of Kuwait and the ensuing Gulf War, Rida composed songs that encouraged citizens to put down weapons and take up instruments.Rida's musical life went on hold in 1993 when he graduated and was immediately drafted into the Iraqi Army to serve the obligatory eighteen months.The Army refused to discharge him at the end of his service, and Rida feared he would spend his life in the military and never realize his dream of becoming a singer.