SSC MTS EXAM

Detailed explanation-1: -Early reports from Iraqi forces claimed that the spill had been caused by the United States sinking of two oil tankers. It was later revealed that in a desperate military move, Iraqi forces had opened oil valves of the Sea Island pipeline, releasing oil from numerous tankers.

Detailed explanation-2: -However, 1991 is also known for the infamous Persian Gulf oil spill, where somewhere between 380 million and 580 million gallons of oil were deliberately spilled by Saddam Hussein. The oil slick that was created was 101 miles long by 42 miles wide creating a total of 4, 242 square miles of oil.

Detailed explanation-3: -Indeed, oil was driving force behind the invasion and would lead to U.S. military involvement. “The fundamental U.S. interest in the security of the Persian Gulf is oil, ‘’ Paul Wolfowitz, under secretary of defense for policy in the George H. W. Bush administration, told Defense Secretary Dick Cheney.