Highway of Death

     During the Gulf War, the US-led coalition was able to drive back the Iraqi forces in merely a few months due to superior numbers, tactics, and technology. Within a few days of the ground offensive, many Iraqis were in retreat and heading back to Iraq. But as one troop caravan retreated, they were bombed so extensively by coalition forces that the site soon became known as the Highway of Death which has later come under questioning whether it was a war crime.
     First, a squadron of US fighter jets spotted the caravan moving north, likely towards Iraq. The caravan consisted of 1000-1500 tanks, armored vehicles, trucks, water tankers, and civilian vehicles all lined up in a straight line, a bomber's dream. The squadron reported their spotting and soon the bombing began.
     The US bombers and jets first took out the leading and following vehicles in the caravan in order to restrict their movement which was a common tactic when engaging moving convoys. Then for hours on end, US and Canadian planes dropped tons of bombs on the trapped vehicles, leaving them a burning mess and killing thousands in the process. Scores of Iraqis were incinerated as the victims were described to be "sitting ducks" after the battle. After the battle, troops combing through the wreckage found hundreds of bodies, some of which were still sitting in their cars. The images photographed of this event were considered to be so devastating that some consider they convinced President Bush to cease hostilities the next day.

     This action has been questioned to be a war crime as the Iraq troops really had no defense against this slaughter. While hundreds or thousands (depends on the report) of Iraqis were killed, not a single coalition life was lost. Furthermore, many question if the coalition was right to attack this caravan as they were clearly retreating and not preparing to reinforce other troops as the US suggested.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/03/11/us-scrambled-to-shape-view-of-highway-of-death/05899d9a-f304-441d-8078-59812cdacc5c/?utm_term=.829211adab88
https://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/iraqi-forces-were-annihilated-while-retreating-on-the-1754611524