Highway of Death

Highway 80 is a major six-lane road in the Middle East.

It connects Kuwait City to the Iraqi border town of Safwan. From there, the road continues to the city of Basra in Iraq. While its official name is Highway 80, it is widely known as the "Highway of Death." This name refers to a massive military engagement during the Gulf War. The event took place on the night of February 26 and 27, 1991. It remains one of the most recognizable and debated moments of that conflict.

The event began when Iraqi military forces attempted to leave Kuwait.

As they retreated, they were targeted by a Coalition of forces. This group included aircraft and ground units from the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Canada. The attack used a specific method to trap the retreating forces. U.S. Marine A-6 Intruder jets used Mk 20 Rockeye II cluster bombs. These bombs hit the head and tail of the vehicle column. This action created an enormous traffic jam that boxed the Iraqi forces in.

The mechanism of the attack lasted for approximately ten hours. Various aircraft from the U.S. Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy participated. Some planes launched from the USS Ranger to strike the convoy.

Vehicles that survived the initial air strikes were later engaged by Coalition ground units. For those that managed to drive north through the jam, they were targeted individually. One specific bottleneck occurred near the Mutla Ridge police station. This area became a line of over 300 stuck vehicles. Some people referred to this specific section as the "Mile of Death."

The destruction on the highway was extensive and involved many types of machinery.

Investigators found at least 28 tanks and other armored vehicles among the wreckage. The column also included many commandeered civilian cars and buses. Some of these buses were filled with property taken from Kuwait. In total, between 1,400 and 2,000 vehicles were hit or abandoned on the main highway north of Al Jahra. The wreckage included various models, such as T-54 and T-55 tanks.

Determining the exact number of people killed remains difficult. The total death toll is not officially known. However, different studies provide varying estimates. A study by the Project on Defense Alternatives (PDA) suggested that at least 500 to 600 deaths were plausible. Other estimates suggest the total number of fatalities along both highways could be at least 800 to 1,000. This includes a separate engagement involving the Hammurabi Division near the Battle of Rumaila. Many soldiers tried to escape the carnage by fleeing into the desert or nearby swamps.

The events on Highway 80 caused significant international controversy. Some commentators argued that the use of force was disproportionate. They noted that the Iraqi units were retreating in compliance with United Nations resolutions. There were also concerns that the columns included civilian refugees or hostages. Legal experts debated the application of the Third Geneva Convention. This convention protects soldiers who are "hors de combat," or out of combat. Some argued the retreating soldiers were protected, while others argued that retreating is a military action that removes that status.

Today, the highway serves as a historical landmark of the Gulf War. The road was eventually repaired after the conflict ended. It was later used by U.S. and British forces during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The imagery of the destroyed column has entered popular culture in many ways. It has been mentioned in poems, songs, and even video games. These references reflect how deeply the images of the highway impacted the world's view of the war. The site remains a somber example of modern mechanized warfare.