1st Armored Division Coalition intervention Naval operations Air campaign Liberation of Kuwait Post-ceasefire The Battle of Al Busayyah was a tank battle fought in the pre-dawn darkness on February 26, 1991, during the Persian Gulf War, between armoured forces of the United States Army and those of the Iraqi Army.

The 2nd Brigade's 2-70 Armor, now TF 2-70 or Task Force 2-70, was to move north in formation and seize the town of Al Busayyah with TF 4-70 Armor on its right flank, and then with the rest of the brigade proceed to attack "Position Python", where it would strike Saddam Hussein's elite Republican Guard north of Kuwait.

At dawn, 06:30am, on the 26 February 1991, the task force moved towards Phase Line Smash on the outskirts of Al Busayyah.

In crossing the four kilometers to Al Busayyah, American mortar fire dropped smoke rounds on top of the forward Iraqi positions.

Alpha Company, 4-70 Armor, commanded by Captain Phil Thieler moved, on the left flank, encountered two T-55 tanks and many other tracked vehicles, and a platoon of dismounted Iraqi soldiers.

The rest of Task Force 4-70 Armor (the "Black Lions", commanded by Lieutenant Colonel William C. Feyk), advanced on the right flank.

Delayed by what appeared to be a minefield, the Bradleys struggled to catch up with the task force as they bypassed the obstacle to the left.

The main body was able to move quickly, but trail elements handling prisoners of war delayed the fire mission.

After Al Busayyah, the brigade continued movement northeast, expecting to halt along Phase Line New Mexico.