KUWAIT CITY - In 1991, 24 years ago, Kuwait was in a state of crises: the forces of Saddam Hussein had overrun the country. In their hour of need, Kuwait turned to the international community to help repel the invaders.
Kuwaitis celebrate Liberation Day on Feb. 26 to mark the anniversary of the day coalition forces answered that call and drove out Hussein's army during Operation Desert Storm.
Soldiers from Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, were invited to celebrate Liberation Day at the Kuwait University in Kuwait City, Feb. 11, and share in a social and cultural exchange during a ceremony to mark the occasion.
The ceremony included a performance by the 1st Infantry Division rock band and remarks by Dr. Hayat Al-Hajii, dean of the College of the Arts at Kuwait University, the US Ambassador to Kuwait, Douglas Stillman, and Dr. Bader Al-Haijii, Kuwait University Mass Communication Department member and former officer in the Kuwait army during Desert Storm.
"I have been very surprised by the number of Kuwaitis who've come up to me and said 'thank you' for the role of the United States in liberating Kuwait, even 24 years after it happened," Stillman said.
"I have not been surprised that this shared experience, this trial by fire in which both of our countries participated has cemented a friendship between our two countries, and has deepened the cultural, political, social and economic ties that are the foundation of our relationship today," he said.
Soldiers from Camp Arifjan had the opportunity to tour Kuwait University and interact with students prior to a formal ceremony. Soldiers received a tour of university artifacts and art produced by students.
Speakers during the ceremony shared their experiences during the invasion and reclaiming of Kuwait with the audience, many who were too young to remember the war.
Dr. Bader Al-Hajii was attending college in the U.S. during the initial invasion of Kuwait.
"For me, to be sitting in the United States as American Soldiers are dying for my country was unfair. So I joined the military," recalled Bader.
Iraq, under the rule of Saddam Hussein, invaded Kuwait Aug. 2, 1990. Over 1,000 Kuwaiti civilians were killed during the conflict.
Coalition forces began driving the Iraq army out of Kuwait Feb. 24, 1991, leading to Hussein withdrawing his troops from Kuwait Feb. 27, 1991.
Bader was one of several speakers to thank coalition members for helping to liberate Kuwait and remind students of the importance of being prepared for future crises.
"People should always be ready," said Bader. "You cannot always depend on the United States, but I know they will always be there."
Stillman encouraged students and Soldiers to research how the war affected their country's history and emphasized the importance of the US/Kuwait relationship.
"We are here as part of the U.S. military personnel in Kuwait working with our Kuwaiti partners to defend Kuwait and help promote stability in the region," Stillman said. "This is a mission that I think we can all agree is very important in these troubled times."
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