KUWAIT: The civil disobedience observed by the people of Kuwait during 1990-1991 was not merely a demonstration against the Iraqi occupation but also implied the patriots' message of their ardent adherence to Kuwait as the homeland, its independence and faithful loyalty to the sagacious leadership. The Kuwaitis, in the wake of the black Thursday, August 2, 1990, made their voice echo to all corners of the world, demonstrating no compromise, no negotiations and no cession of the State of Kuwait sovereignty, independence and its territorial sanctity.
Their civil disobedience in the face of the heavily armed occupiers carved out a road map and created great hope to liberate the homeland of the occupiers' desecration. On the occupation’s 33rd painful anniversary, the sentiments of pride are renewed regarding the heroic stand by the stead fasting Kuwaiti people and the honest residents of the country who observed civil disobedience, joining hands in keeping State utilities running and maintaining social solidarity. Dr Ayed Al-Manna', a researcher, historian, and media figure, said in an interview with KUNA that the civil disobedience against the Iraqi occupation had no leadership and was not very organized; however, the movement was driven by the citizens’ belief in the justice of their cause.
The Kuwaitis, since the early hours of the occupation, engaged in a wide scale confrontation against the occupation despite repression, Manna' said, adding that the confrontation that had lasted for seven months isolated the enemy. Farhan Al-Farhan, a researcher and historian, told KUNA that the civil disobedience constituted an internal front that paralyzed the occupiers and obstructed their schemes. Citizens on the first day of the aggression removed the numbers of houses, districts, and streets to make it difficult for occupiers to move around.
When asked by occupation troops about directions and locations, Kuwaitis used to give them wrong information or say, "I do not know". Many Iraqi intelligence agents who went to residential districts seeking to collect information about state officials and citizens were given false information. Citizens held meetings at mosques and served as guards in the districts on shifts' basis, said Manna’. Hussein Abdulrahman, a media personnel, said the plight of the aggression revealed the strength of the internal front and support of the Kuwaiti people for their legitimate government and leadership, thus foiling the enemies' plot to erase the identity of the State of Kuwait and plunder its resources.
At the time, there was no social media and the daily newspapers had to stop publishing, prompting the citizens to print leaflets to guide the activists and publicize resistance action. Moreover, statements were recorded on cassettes and communications with abroad were conducted via radio signals. Furthermore, the resistance activists painted graffiti against the occupation on public walls and at public locations. – KUNA