Special to The Times Kuwait
At 02:39 a.m. on January 17, 1991, the skies over Kuwait lit up with the opening strikes of Operation Desert Storm. Within the first 24 hours, more than a thousand air sorties were launched toward one clear objective: liberate Kuwait and restore its sovereignty. For those who lived through the occupation, that dawn remains engraved in memory. For those of us born after liberation, it is part of the history we inherit and one we must understand.
The road to that moment began months earlier. On August 2, 1990, forces of the former Iraqi regime crossed the border into Kuwait shortly after sunrise. The invasion shocked the region and the international community. The United Nations condemned the act immediately, and after diplomatic efforts failed, the Security Council issued a final deadline, withdraw peacefully by January 15, 1991, or face war. When the deadline passed without compliance, the international coalition prepared to act.
What followed was unprecedented. A U.S. led coalition of 39 nations, commanded by General Norman Schwarzkopf, mobilized to defend a small and peaceful country many abroad had barely heard of before the occupation. More than 670,000 troops were deployed, including 470,000 Americans.
On January 17, the air campaign began, initiating a six-week phase that introduced new military technologies and a new way of witnessing war, stealth aircraft, satellite targeting, precision munitions, and for the first time, live television broadcasts that allowed civilians around the world to watch a conflict unfold in near real time.
The Gulf War also reshaped the role of women in uniform. More than 33,000 American servicewomen served in aviation, logistics, intelligence, communications, and missile defense. Their performance accelerated policy changes that later opened doors for women to fly combat aircraft and serve aboard combat ships, reforms that influenced modern military institutions.
But the legacy of Desert Storm extended far beyond the battlefield. It established a long-term relationship between Kuwait and the United States, one that began in wartime necessity and grew into cooperation in defense, diplomacy, education, and cultural exchange. That relationship remains visible across numerous fields today.
As the years pass, fewer young Kuwaitis have firsthand memories of the occupation or the liberation. Many of us grew up in a Kuwait that is safe and prosperous, but that reality was made possible by sacrifices we did not personally witness. Our generation carries the responsibility of understanding the struggle that shaped our present, honoring the resilience of those who lived through one of the most defining chapters in our national story.
Efforts to preserve this memory continue, in Washington, D.C., the Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial located near the Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is now under construction. After more than a decade of planning and advocacy, its official dedication is scheduled for October 24, 2026, thirty-five years after the war.
The memorial is authorised under federal law to commemorate those who served in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and is led by a board of veterans who served during the conflict.
The memorial stands as a reminder that Kuwait’s liberation was not solely a Kuwaiti experience, but an international one built on cooperation, sacrifice, and collective defense. It offers a tangible link to a history both countries have gone through.
Today, we honor those who resisted, those who fought, those who rebuilt, and those who continue to build a better future for Kuwait. May their sacrifices never be forgotten.
QUOTE: Very memorable. “ It must be recorded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the impossible tasks you achieved in Kuwait building Guyana’s brand – in Kuwait and Internationally.
As a person who does business in Kuwait, I can assure everyone that your stellar achievements were Above and Beyond. From, Jerome Bulkan, AA, CEO-Founder, Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist.
The PAST TWO Ambassadors of Guyana to Kuwait are:
- H.E. Dr. Odeen Ishmael, CCH (January 2011 – June 2014) – He was the FIRST Ambassador of Guyana to Kuwait and Qatar, and former Ambassador of Guyana to Venezuela. Dr. Ishmael passed away on January 5, 2019, at the age of 70.
- H.E. Prof. Dr. Shamir Ally (March 2017 – July 2020) – He was the SECOND Ambassador of Guyana to Kuwait; and FIRST Alternate Governor at the Islamic Development Bank, May 2017 – July 2020.
The CURRENT Chargé d’Affaires is Ambassador Troy Torrington, who was appointed in August 2024.
The Embassy of Guyana in Kuwait was formally established on January 18, 2011, and is located at Block 3, Street 321, Villa 3, Mubarak Abdullah Al Jaber, West Mishref, Kuwait City, Kuwait.
The Embassy represents Guyana’s interests in Kuwait and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
The EMBASSY provides various services, including:
– Passport services (issuance, renewal, replacement)
– Visa issuance for foreign nationals
– Assistance in legal or medical emergencies
– Travel alerts and safety updates
– Support for nationals detained abroad
KUWAIT CURRENCY STRENGTH : 1 KWD TO $ 3.26 USD
The Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD) is considered ONE of the STRONGEST currencies in the WORLD , with 1 KWD equivalent to approximately $ 3.26 USD, making it the highest-valued currency per base unit. The Kuwaiti Dinar’s STRENGTH can be attributed to Kuwait’s significant oil reserves and relatively STABLE economy.
The Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD) is the STRONGEST CURRENCY in the WORLD, and there are SEVERAL REASONS behind its STRENGTH.
5 KEY FACTORS are
Oil reserves: Kuwait has significant oil reserves, which account for a large portion of its GDP and government revenue. The country’s oil exports contribute to its strong economy and currency.
Economic stability: Kuwait has a relatively stable economy and government, which attracts investors and supports the value of its currency.
Low inflation: Kuwait has historically maintained low inflation rates, which helps preserve the purchasing power of its currency.
Strategic location: Kuwait’s location in the Middle East makes it an important hub for international trade and finance.
Prudent financial management: The Kuwaiti government has implemented sound financial policies, including investing in foreign assets and maintaining a sovereign wealth fund.
These factors COMBINED have contributed to the Kuwaiti Dinar’s strength, making it a POPULAR choice for INVESTORS, TRADERS and CITIZENS.
The Al SABAH family, Kuwait’s ruling family, is renowned for their philanthropic efforts and dedication to improving the lives of Kuwaiti citizens. Their commitment to education, healthcare, and social welfare has had a lasting impact on the country.
The GOVERNMENT’S emphasis on modernization and development has transformed Kuwait into a thriving nation with world-class infrastructure and services.
Kuwaiti CITIZENS enjoy a high standard of living, and the country’s rich culture and hospitality make it a welcoming place for visitors.
The STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY and generosity of the Kuwaiti people is truly inspiring, making Kuwait a remarkable country to learn about and engage with.
