The Highway of Death in Iraq is one of the most infamous incidents of the Gulf War.
It refers to a devastating attack by coalition forces on retreating Iraqi troops along Highway 80, a road linking Kuwait to Iraq.
This article explores the events leading up to the attack, the operation itself, and the ongoing debates surrounding its morality and legality.
Takeaways: Lessons from Iraq’s Highway of Death
- Clearer rules of engagement: Highlighted the need for strict guidelines on targeting retreating forces and distinguishing civilians from combatants.
- Proportionality and restraint: Raised awareness about balancing military objectives with minimizing harm to civilians and infrastructure.
- Media and public perception: Showed how wartime imagery influences global opinion and drives ethical debates.
- Accountability in warfare: Emphasized the importance of post-conflict investigations and compliance with international humanitarian law.
The context of the Gulf War
The Gulf War began in August 1990, when Iraq, under Saddam Hussein, invaded Kuwait. This act of aggression prompted a swift response from an international coalition led by the United States (one of many middle-east engagements over the years).
After months of diplomatic efforts and economic sanctions, Operation Desert Storm commenced in January 1991 to liberate Kuwait.
Iraq’s retreat and the strategic significance of Highway 80
By late February 1991, the Iraqi army faced relentless attacks from coalition forces — with Kuwait City liberated and Iraqi forces severely weakened, Saddam Hussein ordered a retreat.
Highway 80 became the primary route for thousands of Iraqi soldiers and civilians fleeing toward Basra, Iraq.
This highway held both symbolic and strategic significance. For coalition forces, it represented an opportunity to ensure Iraq’s defeat was total; for Iraq, it was a lifeline for its retreating forces.
The attack on Highway 80
The events of February 26–27, 1991, unfolded as a grim chapter in the final days of the Gulf War.
The assault on retreating Iraqi forces along Highway 80 — a stretch of road linking Kuwait City to the Iraqi border — would become one of the most haunting and controversial military actions of the conflict.
The coalition’s aerial bombardment
As the Iraqi army withdrew from Kuwait under orders from Saddam Hussein, a large convoy of vehicles crowded Highway 80.
The retreat, hasty and poorly coordinated, included a mix of military personnel, equipment, and civilians attempting to escape the conflict zone.
Coalition forces, having achieved air superiority early in the war, were monitoring the movement closely. When the retreat began, they launched a series of devastating airstrikes.
Coalition aircraft, including A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, F-15E Strike Eagles, and B-52 bombers, unleashed precision-guided munitions, cluster bombs, and strafing runs along the convoy.
Military targets such as tanks, armored personnel carriers, and missile launchers were prioritized, but the intensity of the bombardment resulted in widespread destruction across all types of vehicles.
Fuel tankers and ammunition trucks ignited massive explosions, creating a cascading effect that engulfed surrounding vehicles in flames.
The attacks were relentless. Pilots made multiple passes over the convoy, targeting vehicles that were still moving or appeared to be attempting escape.
Survivors described the airstrikes as a “rain of fire,” with no avenue of escape. For those caught on the road, it was a scene of chaos and horror — vehicles were obliterated, drivers and passengers were incinerated, and the remains of the convoy were left scattered along the highway.
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The devastation on Highway 8
While Highway 80 bore the brunt of the assault, Highway 8 — a parallel route used by other retreating Iraqi forces — faced similar devastation.
Coalition forces, intent on crippling Iraq’s military capabilities, launched attacks on this secondary route to ensure no escape for retreating units. The destruction on Highway 8 mirrored that of Highway 80, with hundreds of vehicles destroyed and countless lives lost.
The dual assault on both highways demonstrated the coalition’s overwhelming air power and tactical precision. However, it also highlighted the vulnerability of Iraqi forces, who lacked the ability to defend themselves against the aerial onslaught.
These routes, once seen as paths to safety, became death traps for anyone traveling along them.
Death toll and destruction
The aftermath of the attack was catastrophic. While the precise number of casualties remains disputed, estimates suggest that between 500 and 1,500 people were killed during the attacks on Highway 80 and Highway 8.
The majority of those killed were Iraqi soldiers, but civilians, including Kuwaiti hostages forced into vehicles by retreating Iraqi troops, were also among the dead.
The destruction of vehicles was staggering. Hundreds of tanks, armored vehicles, trucks, and civilian cars were reduced to smoldering wreckage.
The highway was transformed into a wasteland, with charred bodies and mangled debris scattered across the road for miles. Some vehicles were hit so precisely that they were obliterated entirely, leaving only craters and scorch marks on the asphalt.
In addition to the immediate loss of life, the psychological toll on survivors and witnesses was profound.
For those who escaped the carnage, the memories of the attack and the haunting images of destruction would remain etched in their minds for years to come.
Moral and legal debates
The attack on the Highway of Death in Iraq has sparked decades of debate among historians, legal scholars, and military experts.
Was the attack necessary?
The necessity of the coalition’s operation remains one of the most contentious aspects of the Highway of Death in Iraq.
Arguments in favor of the attack:
- Neutralizing a retreating enemy: Supporters argue that the Iraqi convoy still posed a potential threat to Kuwait and coalition forces. Even in retreat, the convoy carried significant military personnel, equipment, and stolen goods.
- Ensuring complete victory: By targeting the convoy, coalition forces prevented Iraq from regrouping and launching future offensives. The attack sent a message of deterrence to Saddam Hussein and other potential aggressors.
- Military strategy: The destruction of Iraqi forces on Highway 80 was seen as a necessary step in ensuring that Kuwait’s liberation was secure and that Iraq’s military was incapacitated.
Arguments against the attack:
- A retreating and disorganized force: Critics argue that the retreating Iraqi forces were in no condition to mount an immediate threat. Many were demoralized, unorganized, and fleeing for safety rather than regrouping for combat.
- Disproportionate use of force: The scale and intensity of the attack, which obliterated nearly every vehicle on the convoy, have been described as excessive.
- Violation of international law: Critics claim that attacking retreating forces incapable of defense could breach the Geneva Conventions, which protect combatants who are hors de combat (out of the fight).
Civilian casualties and collateral damage
The presence of civilian vehicles among the convoy adds another layer of complexity to the debate.
Reports suggest that Kuwaiti civilians, taken hostage and forced into vehicles by retreating Iraqi forces, were among the victims. Additionally, civilian contractors and non-combatants traveling along the highway were caught in the crossfire.
International humanitarian law requires combatants to distinguish between military and civilian targets.
Critics argue that coalition forces failed in this obligation during the attack on Highway 80. The use of cluster bombs — known for their wide-area effects — further exacerbates concerns about indiscriminate targeting, as these munitions are difficult to confine to specific military objectives.
Supporters counter that the coalition faced significant challenges in differentiating civilians from combatants in the chaotic conditions of the retreat.
Many civilian vehicles carried looted goods or had been commandeered by Iraqi troops, blurring the line between civilian and military targets. Nevertheless, the failure to adequately assess and mitigate harm to civilians has been a persistent point of criticism.
Psychological impact and media portrayal
Images of the aftermath, with charred vehicles and lifeless bodies, were broadcast worldwide, sparking public outcry. For many, the Highway of Death became a symbol of excessive force and the horrors of modern warfare.
The legacy of the Highway of Death
The Highway of Death in Iraq remains a potent reminder of the complexities of war. For the United States and its allies, it showcased the overwhelming effectiveness of coalition forces; for Iraq and its people, it symbolized the devastating consequences of Saddam Hussein’s ambitions.
A demonstration of military dominance
For the United States and its coalition allies, the Highway of Death epitomized the overwhelming effectiveness of their military operations during the Gulf War.
The attack:
- Showcased technological superiority: Coalition air forces demonstrated their ability to destroy targets with precision and speed, leveraging advancements in weaponry such as guided munitions and advanced radar systems.
- Reinforced deterrence: The destruction along Highway 80 served as a stark warning to other nations about the consequences of challenging coalition forces.
- Secured strategic goals: The attack ensured that Iraq’s retreating forces would not regroup to pose further threats to Kuwait or coalition troops, reinforcing the success of Operation Desert Storm.
Lessons for modern warfare
The Highway of Death in Iraq has had a lasting influence on discussions about the conduct of modern military operations, particularly regarding rules of engagement, proportionality, and the protection of civilians.
Clearer rules of engagement
- The incident highlighted the need for precise guidelines to govern when and how retreating forces can be targeted.
- Military planners now emphasize the importance of distinguishing between military and civilian elements in complex scenarios like chaotic retreats.
Proportionality and restraint
- The attack raised questions about the proportionality of force, sparking discussions on how to balance military objectives with the imperative to minimize harm to civilians and infrastructure.
- This principle has influenced training and strategic planning in modern militaries to avoid similar controversies.
The role of media and public perception
- Images of the Highway of Death showed how the media can shape global opinion and bring ethical concerns to the forefront.
- Military operations now consider the impact of public scrutiny, as images and narratives of wartime actions are disseminated rapidly in the digital age.
Accountability in warfare
- The attack underscored the need for post-conflict investigations and accountability to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law.
- The incident has been used in military academies and international forums as a case study in ethical decision-making during combat.
Conclusion
The Highway of Death in Iraq remains one of the most controversial episodes of the Gulf War.
While it underscores the coalition’s military superiority, it also raises profound questions about the ethics of modern warfare.
As history continues to judge this event, it serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating toll of war on soldiers and civilians alike.
