Kuwait was ecologically devastated during its annexation by Iraq in 1990 - 1 . More than 700 wells were destroyed , choking the skies with black smoke in an inferno that raged for eight months before firefighters eventually extinguished the blaze . Environmental scientists have been working to restore the environment . Iraqi troops dug extensive military fortifications in the desert , upsetting the ecosystem . On land , they destroyed many oil wells in a ` ` scorched earth '' campaign .
Kuwait was ecologically devastated during its annexation by Iraq in 1990 - 1 . Environmental scientists have been working to restore the environment . Iraqi troops dug extensive military fortifications in the desert , upsetting the ecosystem . On land , they destroyed many oil wells in a ` ` scorched earth '' campaign .