Youm al-Tahrir
The anniversary of the liberation of Kuwait from Iraqi occupation in 1991. The Iraqi invasion (August 2, 1990) lasted 7 months, and the liberation (February 26, 1991) was achieved by a US-led coalition of 34 nations. The day is observed with military ceremonies, the laying of wreaths, and the remembrance of the 1,000 Kuwaiti citizens who were killed or went missing during the occupation. The oil wells that were set on fire by the retreating Iraqis burned for 9 months, and the environmental damage is still visible in the desert. The Kuwaiti resistance (al-muqawama) operated during the occupation, passing intelligence to the coalition forces and sabotaging Iraqi operations. The resistance is honored on this day with medals, ceremonies, and the telling of stories that every Kuwaiti family carries.
