The Gulf War Phase 2: 24–26 February 1991

From the middle of February, the US-led coalition subjected Iraqi positions and facilities to massive bombardment. In addition, feint assaults were made, coupled with naval shelling from the Persian Gulf, to give the impression the main attack would come from the south. Instead, early on the 24th, the coalition launched a massive assault over Kuwait’s largely undefended western borders, simultaneously striking northwards into Iraqi territory, destroying bridges across the Euphrates and then severing the road supply link for the Iraqi troops from Basra. These forces then swerved eastwards in an enveloping manoeuvre, blocking, or rather channelling, the Iraqis’ means of escape. Ordered directly by Saddam Hussein to fight to the last, the Iraqis fought fiercely but were overwhelmed. As coalition forces converged upon Kuwait City, the Iraqis were now ordered to retreat, but to destroy Kuwait’s oil facilities in their wake: 737 oil wells were set alight