Kuwait denied such baseless charges in
unambiguous terms stating that non-interference in and respect
for the sovereignty of other states were the foundations of
its foreign policy.
Kuwait could not comprehend the Iraqi allegations as it had
always provided all possible assistance to Iraq whenever required.
As Iraq continued to escalate tension with
its wild accusations and unjustified claims, it was agreed
to hold a meeting between Kuwait and Iraq in Jeddah on July
31, 1990. It immediately became apparent that, far from
negotiating an end to the crisis, Iraq was bent on dictating
terms to Kuwait. The negotiations collapsed. And a day later,
Iraq ordered its troops to enter Kuwait.
Kuwait's military response was slow, as it
had not been expecting such a massive military assault.
In the light of the ongoing negotiations with Iraq, its
armed forces were not in the state of preparedness. Iraqi
troops quickly overran the State of Kuwait and Iraq announced
that a so-called government of free Kuwait had been established.
What followed were seven months of agony and
nightmare as the Iraqi troops indulged in an orgy of violence,
torture, looting and destruction on a mass scale. For the
Kuwaitis it meant complete loss of freedom, civic and human
rights. They were at the complete mercy of Saddam Hussein's
occupation forces.
Despite severe odds, Kuwait is fought back
with great will and determination. The most notable encounter
was that of the 35th Brigade, which is now known as the
Martyrs' Brigade. The Kuwaiti Resistance too played a heroic
role: at the risk of execution and torture, they continued
to shield foreigners and maintain contact with the outside
world.
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