Abstract
Increasing attention is being paid to the manipulation of environmental forces for hostile purposes. Some categories of this type of warfare, including the instigation of fires, have been practised in Kuwait through the scorched earth tactic developed by Saddam Hussain. This paper examines the issue of the environmental crime idea behind the scorched earth tactic in Kuwait through the analysis of the intentions and evidence of sabotage and the description of the environmental and economic consequences. As this analysis shows, Saddam had violated all the international environmental‐related laws and treaties. It is recommended that a special court should be established and Saddam Hussain should be tried in this court for his environmental crimes. It is also recommended that there should be more generally applicable environmental laws with international effect to deal with any such military acts which have environmental outcomes in the future.