Liberation Day in 2025
Marks the date when the Kuwait Government was reinstated at the end of the Gulf War in 1991.
When is Liberation Day?
| Year | Dates |
|---|---|
| 2026 | |
| 2025 | |
| 2024 |
When is Kuwait Liberation Day?
Kuwait Liberation Day is always celebrated on February 26th. This holiday marks the day when Kuwait was liberated from Iraqi occupation in 1991.
History of Kuwait Liberation Day
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 August 2nd 1990, following a dispute over revenue from an oil field, Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait and Iraq started bombing Kuwait City. By August 8th 1990, the Kuwaiti government had been replaced by an Iraqi governor.
International outrage at the invasion was widespread. Making no progress by diplomatic means, the UN Security Council gave Iraq a deadline of January 15th 1991 to withdraw from Kuwait. The deadline passed and the U.S. led coalition forces began their assault on the Iraqi forces on January 17th 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 February 26th 1991.
How is Kuwait Liberation Day celebrated?
Liberation Day always falls on the day after National Day forming a two day holiday in Kuwait.