The 3rd Special Forces assisted in the clearing and securing of Kuwait City and the retaking of the U.S. Embassy. Operation Desert Storm had a sub-operation plan that was titled "Operation Urban Freedom". This plan ensured the orderly forward deployment of the Special Operation forces and allowed a smooth flow of the coalition forces, which were primarily U.S. Marines and Kuwaiti forces into the area to assist in the liberation of Kuwait City. Special Forces personnel assisted and advised the Kuwaiti forces throughout the liberation of Kuwait City.
On February 28, 1991, American soldiers reached the U.S. Embassy. During this portion of the operation, the lack of accurate intelligence was a major concern of the force. They were told to expect to find anything from a reinforced mechanized infantry company with chemical and conventional munitions, to finding no threat at all.
Due to smoke from the oil wells that were burning all around Kuwait, visibility was extremely limited. The wind shifted after the US Embassy had been entered and within an hour it was dark as midnight, even though it was still midday. This made the job of securing the Embassy slightly more challenging and the shadows created problems where there should not have been any. The embassy compound was not defended nor had it any enemy troops inside. Reports received about booby traps, left from both the Iraqi's and the U.S. personnel as they evacuated the embassy, coupled with the urgency for speed in clearing the facilities, created an environment that allowed some demolition and searching operations to take place that caused significant damage to portions of the compound. The embassy was turned over to the U.S. ambassador on the next day and the mission shifted to embassy guard and VIP security. |
