On August 2, 1990, Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait. Tensions had been building over the previous months because of perceived Iraqi grievances over its border with Kuwait and oil production.
At the time of the invasion, Kuwait’s army numbered just 16,000, while Iraq had about 950,000 men, 4,500 tanks and hundreds of fighter jets and helicopters. Within hours, most resistance had faded, the Kuwaiti royal family were forced to flee and two days later, Iraq was in complete control of the country.
By the end of August, the UN Security Council called for an immediate withdrawal of all the occupying forces. Meanwhile, a international coalition of countries including from the United States, UAE, Syria, Morocco and Oman was formed – the largest military alliance since the Second World War, bringing together forces from about 30 countries.
On August 25, the UN set a deadline of January 15, 1991, for the complete withdrawal of Iraqi forces, which it ignored. The allied forces launched Operation Desert Storm.
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READ MORE:
Kuwaitis who came to the UAE after the 1990 war look back
Kuwait marks anniversary of Iraq invasion – but row breaks out over what to call it
Book review: Hala Alyan’s Salt Houses is an epic tale of one Palestinian family’s displacement
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A massive air bombardment of Iraq took place, with hundreds of thousands of sorties. A ground invasion began on February 24, and on February 27, Kuwait was liberated.
The Iraqis left a trail of devastation and carnage through executions, looting and the widespread destruction of homes.
Iraqi forces also set fire to about 700 oil wells and placed landmines around them in a scorched-earth policy as they retreated.
It is estimated that up to 300,000 Kuwaitis fled the country. Most went to Saudi Arabia, while about 70,000 came to the UAE. Nearly all went home after the country was liberated that February.
It is believed that Iraq lost about 20,000 to 35,000 soldiers, while more than 1,000 Kuwaiti civilians died at the hand of Iraqis.
After the war, Saddam Hussein suppressed uprisings across Iraq, no-fly zones were established, more economic sanctions were imposed and the scene was set for the Second Gulf War and invasion of Iraq, in 2003.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Company profile
Name: One Good Thing
Founders: Bridgett Lau and Micheal Cooke
Based in: Dubai
Sector: e-commerce
Size: 5 employees
Stage: Looking for seed funding
Investors: Self-funded and seeking external investors
THE BIG THREE
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
19 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 5 (2011, 14, 15, 18, 19)
French Open: 2 (2016, 21)
US Open: 3 (2011, 15, 18)
Australian Open: 9 (2008, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21)
Prize money: $150m
ROGER FEDERER
20 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 8 (2003, 04, 05, 06, 07, 09, 12, 17)
French Open: 1 (2009)
US Open: 5 (2004, 05, 06, 07, 08)
Australian Open: 6 (2004, 06, 07, 10, 17, 18)
Prize money: $130m
RAFAEL NADAL
20 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 2 (2008, 10)
French Open: 13 (2005, 06, 07, 08, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20)
US Open: 4 (2010, 13, 17, 19)
Australian Open: 1 (2009)
Prize money: $125m
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
