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Kuwait Times
02-08-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait's darkest days and brightest heroes
Marking the anniversary of Iraq's 1990 invasion, Kuwait remembers the pain of occupation and the unshakable spirit of its resistance fighters - men and nwomen who gave everything to protect their homeland 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.
Kuwait Times
19-07-2025
- General
- Kuwait Times
How Kuwait quenched its thirst
Before desalination, Kuwaitis relied on rain, wells and nwater-laden dhows from Iraq to survive in a desert with nno rivers By Mahmoud Zakaria Freshwater sources in ancient Kuwait were extremely scarce, as the country is a desert land with no rivers. In earlier times, Kuwaitis depended on rainwater and underground wells to meet their needs. But when rainfall declined sharply in 1907, they began importing fresh water from the Shatt Al-Arab in Iraq. Every day, 49 large dhows transported around 80,000 gallons of water to Kuwait. With rapid urban development and a growing population, the need for reliable water sources became urgent. In response, Kuwait commissioned its first desalination plant in 1953, with a capacity of one million gallons of fresh water per day. Before desalination, water distribution in Kuwait was an essential and complex task. When water ships arrived from Iraq, it was distributed through various means. Water porters roamed the streets with tanks, while vendors carried water on donkeys or camels, shouting through neighborhoods to announce their arrival. One traditional method of transport was the kandar — a long pole with tin cans (qawati) hanging from either end. Anyone who carried water was commonly called al-hammar. People collect rainwater outside the walls of Kuwait, in 1938. A natural water well in the Kuwaiti desert near Ahmadi. A water fountain donated by the late Abdulaziz Al-Duaij in Mubarakiya in 1965. Water vendors deliver water in qirab — leather containers — laden on donkeys. Water porters roam the streets with the kandar — a long pole with tin cans hanging from either end. Kuwait also had numerous freshwater wells. The Shamiya area was especially famous for the quality of its water, and in 1933 alone, it contained 600 wells. The central hub for water trade was known as the 'Water Market', located in the northeastern corner of the Money Changers' Square, near the entrance to Ibn Duaij Market and just east of Sheikh Mubarak's Kiosk. This market bustled with activity, as donkeys delivered water in qirab — leather containers — from areas beyond the old city walls such as Shamiya, Kaifan, Hawally, Nugra and Dasma. Adjacent to the Water Market stood a public fountain donated by the late Abdulaziz Al-Duaij. The area was a lively commercial zone, home to one of the city's earliest cafés — Shaaban Coffee — which was among the first to feature a radio. In 1939, Kuwait established its first water transport company to help meet rising demand. By 1951, the government purchased all private wells, coinciding with the opening of the first seawater desalination plant — marking the beginning of a new chapter in Kuwait's water history.
