The Gulf War oil spills were a series of environmental disasters that occurred during and after the Gulf War in 1991. On January 17, 1991, Iraqi forces opened the valves at the Sea Island oil terminal and the Mina al-Ahmadi oil refinery, releasing an estimated 11 million barrels of oil into the Persian Gulf. On February 27, 1991, Allied forces destroyed Kuwaiti oil wells and storage facilities, causing an additional spill of about 6 million barrels of oil.
The oil spills had a devastating impact on the environment and wildlife in the Persian Gulf region. The oil slick covered an area of about 4,000 square miles and caused widespread pollution of the air, water, and land. The oil contaminated the beaches, mangroves, and coral reefs of the region, and killed thousands of birds, fish, and other marine animals. The spills also had a negative impact on the local fishing industry and the economies of the affected countries.
Efforts were made to clean up the spills and mitigate their environmental impacts. Teams of workers used skimmers, chemical dispersants, and other methods to remove the oil from the water. However, the cleanup efforts were only partially successful, and some of the oil remains in the environment to this day. The Gulf War oil spills serve as a reminder of the importance of protecting the environment and the need to be prepared for the potential impacts of military conflicts.