Kuwait marks 35th anniversary of liberation
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Kuwait on Thursday celebrated the 35th anniversary of its liberation, commemorating the end of the Iraqi occupation that began on August 2, 1990.
The invasion led to months of occupation, during which Kuwaitis rallied behind their leadership and rejected the takeover. Citizens formed resistance groups, with some taking up arms and others supporting underground networks. Women were involved in delivering supplies and joining demonstrations. Many Kuwaitis lost their lives during the period and are remembered as martyrs.
During the crisis, the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah addressed the United Nations, describing the violation of Kuwait’s sovereignty. The late Amir Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, then Crown Prince, oversaw the government in exile and worked to support citizens and the resistance movement.
At the diplomatic level, the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who was serving as foreign minister at the time, engaged Arab and international partners to secure backing for Kuwait’s restoration.
Kuwait continues to acknowledge the role of Saudi Arabia, where the late King Fahd bin Abdulaziz hosted Kuwait’s leadership and citizens and provided political, financial and military assistance.
Gulf Cooperation Council countries moved early to condemn the invasion. The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 660, demanding Iraq’s immediate withdrawal. Resolution 678, passed on November 29, 1990, set January 15, 1991, as the deadline for compliance and authorised the use of force to implement previous resolutions.
On January 12, 1991, the US Congress approved military action. Coalition forces launched a ground offensive on February 24. Iraqi troops began withdrawing on February 26 and Kuwait’s liberation was declared the next day after 100 hours of ground operations.
The anniversary is observed as a reminder of the country’s unity during the occupation and the international coalition that led to its liberation.
Inputs from KUNA