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The United Nations Security Council issued several resolutions
(namely UN Resolution 600, 661, 662, 665, 678, 686) against Iraq,
asking Baghdad to pull out of Kuwait.
All peaceful means of getting the aggressor out having failed,
a UN-backed military operation began on January 17, 1991. Eighteen
countries joined the operation which took 42 days to oust the
Iraqi occupation force.
Kuwait was finally liberated on February 26, 1991.
Nearly seven months of Iraqi occupation wreaked havoc on the
people and caused complete devastation to a once rich and prosperous
state. The Iraqis committed unimaginable and inhuman atrocities
on men, women and children. The economy was ruined and the infrastructure
was completely destroyed. The Iraqis set on fire almost 90 per
cent of Kuwaiti oil wells, causing irreparable damage to the environment
and marine life.
The joy of Liberation
soon gave way to a sense of responsibility among the Kuwaiti citizens
about how to rebuild the country and to restore its past glory.
The Kuwaitis soon began an agonising search for their loved ones,
taken as Prisoners
of War by the Iraqi regime.
The task of reconstruction
of the nation was by all means an uphill one given the harsh Kuwaiti
conditions and the scale of damage and destruction.
However, thanks to the never dying Kuwaiti spirit, most services
and operations were restored in record time. The present day Kuwait
shows no sign of the arson and vandalism the Iraqis left behind.
Kuwait is a free nation again but many Kuwaitis are yet to overcome
the trauma and agony. As many as 605
Kuwaiti and third countries nationals are held captive in Iraqi
jails and detention centres to date. The plight of these POWs
is a matter of great concern for every Kuwaiti. It is a humanitarian
issue with international ramifications and it should be resolved
immediately.
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