Historical Context
When Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein decided in 1990 to attack and occupy the small, neighboring country of Kuwait, he could not have foreseen the enormous international coalition that would come up against him.
Led by the United States, the coalition forces established the largest military alliance since World War II. Saddam himself called the forthcoming confrontation "the mother of all battles." Almost a million coalition forces waited across the border in Saudi Arabia.
Operation Desert Storm, which began on January 17, 1991, was a quick, if massive operation lasting a little more than a month. Iraq was routed, but not before their soldiers enacted a "scorched earth" policy, setting fire to 600-700 Kuwaiti oil wells. They burned for months and the last was extinguished in November 1991.
Photo Info
Photographer: Tech. Sgt. David McLeod
Date taken: March 21, 1991
Location taken: Outside Kuwait City, Kuwait
Related Events
- 1991-01-22 Kuwaiti oil facilities are destroyed by Iraqi forces
- 1991-11-06 The last oil fire in Kuwait set by retreating Iraqi troops is extinguished
Related Articles and Photos
Operation Desert Shield
US troops in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield
July 8, 1990Highway of Death
The so-called Highway of Death in Iraq after coalition planes repeatedly bombed it during Operation Desert Storm
February 26, 1991Invasion of Iraq
US troops in a sandstorm during the invasion of Iraq in 2003
March 19, 2003
Related Famous People
-
41st US President
George H. W. Bush -
Iraqi President and Dictator
Saddam Hussein
