Question

what was the most likely motivation for iraqis to set fire to oil wells in kuwait? they hoped to set off explosions to kill enemy troops and win the war. they wanted revenge when they were forced to retreat from kuwait. they wanted to deplete kuwaits oil reserves so no one could use them. they hoped to frighten the kuwaiti government into surrendering to iraq.

Explanation:

During the Gulf - War, when Iraqi forces were forced to retreat from Kuwait, setting fire to oil wells was an act of revenge. It was not mainly about setting off explosions to kill enemy troops (as the oil - well fires were more about destruction than a direct combat - killing strategy), depleting reserves (the fires didn't deplete the underground reserves), or frightening the Kuwaiti government into surrender (since they were already retreating).

Answer:

They wanted revenge when they were forced to retreat from Kuwait.