Kuwait's darkest days and brightest heroes
By Mahmoud Zakaria
On the morning of August 2, 1990, the small but proud nation of Kuwait was shaken to its core. In a swift and brutal invasion, Iraqi forces stormed across the border, seizing Kuwait City within hours and declaring the country Iraq's 19th province. What followed was one of the darkest chapters in Kuwait's history — a seven-month-long occupation marked by widespread human rights violations.
During the occupation, the Iraqi regime launched a systematic campaign of terror. Acts of looting, torture, rape and extrajudicial killings became rampant. Despite the official declaration of the death penalty for looters, Iraqi troops plundered Kuwait's most valuable assets.
Medical equipment was stripped from hospitals, scientific data and equipment from the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research were stolen, and treasures of Islamic art disappeared from the Kuwait National Museum. An estimated $1.6 billion in gold and cash was looted from the Central Bank and transported to Baghdad.
Bayt Al-Qurain, the house that witnessed the fall of many Kuwaiti resistance fighters. The state later converted it into a museum.
Iraqi tanks in Kuwait City.
Martyr Amer Al-Enezi
Amnesty International documented hundreds of extrajudicial executions and the arrest of thousands of Kuwaiti civilians. Even as rumors — some later proven false — circulated about horrific acts in hospitals, the overwhelming evidence of Iraqi brutality remains irrefutable.
But from the ashes of occupation rose the unyielding spirit of a people determined to fight for their homeland. The Kuwaiti resistance movement emerged almost immediately, displaying remarkable courage and unity in the face of overwhelming odds. Men and women, young and old, stepped forward with a single goal: To defend their land and preserve their national identity.
Many Kuwaitis today regard women as the backbone of the resistance. Their contributions were invaluable - not only did they carry weapons and forge identification documents, but they also played critical roles in organizing, planning, and maintaining secret operations that kept the resistance alive. Among the most revered female martyrs are Wafaa Al-Amer and Asrar Al-Qabandi, whose names have become symbols of sacrifice and patriotism.
Mahmoud Zakaria
Martyr Sayed Alawi
Martyr Wafaa Al-Amer
Part of the destruction that befell Seif Palace during the occupation.
The joy of victory.
The news of the invasion of Kuwait tops the front page of a newspaper in St Cloud, Minnesota.
One of the most iconic moments in the resistance was the Battle of Al-Qurain. In a fierce engagement that lasted nearly 12 hours, a group of Kuwaiti resistance fighters clashed with Iraqi forces in the Qurain district. Despite being vastly outgunned, the fighters held their ground from early morning until evening. Heroes such as Sayed Alawi, Amer Al-Enezi and others laid down their lives in a desperate but valiant stand. Their martyrdom is etched into the national memory as a testament to Kuwaiti courage.
The occupation finally ended in February 1991. But Kuwait's story of survival and resistance endures - retold each year not just to remember the pain, but to honor the extraordinary bravery of ordinary people. Thirty-five years later, those days still shake the memory. But more than fear or loss, what remains is pride. A pride rooted in sacrifice, resilience and an unbreakable national spirit that stood tall even when the world around it fell apart.
The legacy of the 1990 invasion is not just one of loss - it is also one of unmatched resilience and loyalty. The Kuwaiti people stood behind their leadership and never wavered in their commitment to their homeland. The stories of sacrifice, particularly of Kuwait's brave martyrs, continue to inspire generations. Their blood was the price paid for freedom - a reminder that patriotism is not just a word, but a responsibility.
Today, Kuwait honors its heroes not only through remembrance, but through the values of unity, perseverance and national pride that continue to guide the nation forward.
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