Battle of Failaka

The Battle of Failaka broke out between the Kuwaiti garrison of Failaka Island and attacking Iraqi forces during the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait, on 2 August 1990.^{[citation needed]} The Kuwaiti garrison consisted of an infantry company and a company of border guards, in addition to air defense company armed with Hawk SAMs. Iraqi forces consisted of a special forces battalion transported by helicopters reinforced with a battalion of marines.

Battle of Failaka
Part of the Gulf War
Date 3 August 1990 Location Failaka Island, Kuwait 29°23′12.96″N 47°59′50.57″E Result Iraqi victory Expulsion of Failaka's population to the mainland
Belligerents
Iraq	Kuwait
Commanders and leaders
Ra'ad al-Hamdani	Saif Al-Anezi † Ghazi Ahmed †
Units involved
Iraqi Special Forces Battalion Marine Battalion Helicopter Support	Infantry Company Company of Border Guards

Aftermath

After the successful takeover by the Iraqi army, the island of Failaka was depopulated, with its 2,000 residents expelled to the mainland.^[1] The island was retaken by US forces in 1991, using tools of psychological warfare, making the Iraqi contingent of 1,400 surrender without a single shot.^[2]

References

1. "War scars on Failaka island visible after 20 years". News.xinhuanet.com. 31 August 2011. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
2. North, Andrew (17 March 2003). "Middle East | US psy-ops play it loud". BBC News. Retrieved 11 November 2015.

See also

• The Battle of the Bridges