A pre-dawn armored engagement during the Gulf War's ground offensive, illustrating U.S. assault tactics against a fortified Iraqi stronghold at a critical crossroads.
Key Facts
- Date
- February 26, 1991
- Conflict
- Persian Gulf War
- Iraqi dug-in tanks
- 12 tanks
- Other armored vehicles dug in
- 12 vehicles
- Trenchline length south of town
- 1500 meters
- Town size
- 40–50 buildings along one main north–south road
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Al Busayyah was a fortified Iraqi Army stronghold positioned at a critical crossroads in Iraq. The town was defended by a battalion-sized infantry unit reinforced with T-55 tanks, armored personnel carriers, commando elements, machine gun nests, and an extensive trenchline system extending 1,500 meters south of the town.
In the pre-dawn hours of February 26, 1991, during the Coalition ground offensive of the Persian Gulf War, U.S. Army armored forces engaged Iraqi armored and infantry defenders at Al Busayyah. The Iraqi garrison, with twelve tanks and twelve other armored vehicles deeply dug in around the town, defended heavily fortified positions including trenchlines and perimeter strongpoints.
The Wikipedia source does not detail the outcome or casualties of the battle beyond describing the Iraqi defensive disposition. The engagement is documented as part of the broader Coalition ground campaign that drove Iraqi forces from Kuwait and ultimately led to a ceasefire in late February 1991.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent