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 .
Kuwait was ecologically devastated during its annexation by Iraq in 1990-1 . Environmental scientists have been working to rehabilitate the environment . Iraqi troops dug extensive military fortifications in the desert , upsetting the ecosystem . On retreat , they destroyed 700 oil wells in a `` scorched earth '' policy .