The Kuwait Cabinet announced that Sunday (Feb 24) will be an official holiday, and work will resume on Wednesday (Feb 27). The country celebrates its National Day on Feb 25 and Liberation Day on Feb 26. Feb 24 is a day off as it falls between two holidays.
When is Kuwait Liberation Day?
Kuwait Liberation Day is always celebrated on 26 February. This holiday marks the day when Kuwait was liberated from Iraqi occupation in 1991.
History of Kuwait Liberation Day
According to OfficeHolidays.com Kuwait was first established as a small fishing village during the seventeenth century. In 1899 Kuwait became a British Protectorate. In 1961, Kuwait became independent with the end of the British protectorate and sheikh Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah becoming the Emir.
On 2 August 1990, following a dispute over revenue from am oil field, Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait and Iraq started bombing Kuwait City. By 8 August 1990, the Kuwaiti government had been replaced by an Iraqi governor.
International outrage at the invasion was widespread. After making no progresheikdiplomatic means, the UN Security Council gave Iraq a deadline of 15 January 1991 to withdraw from Kuwait. The deadline passed and the U.S. led coalition forces began their assault on the Iraqi forces on 17 January 1991, known as Operation Desert Storm.
The Iraqi forces proved unable to resist the coalition forces, the ground war only lasted four days and the Iraqi tanks left Kuwait on 26 February 1991.
How is Kuwait Liberation Day celebrated?
Liberation Day always falls on the day after National Day forming a two day holiday in Kuwait.
