The Kuwait Environment Protection Society affirmed that “absurd wars often destroy both the victim and the executioner, and as much as the occupation of Kuwait was destructive to the environment, the military operations that followed it and continued with multiple methods and patterns were no more merciful to it,” said the head of the society, Dr. Wajdan Al-Aqab, on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the abhorrent Iraqi occupation of the State of Kuwait on August 2, 1990.
Dr. Wajdan Al-Aqab recalled the horrors of that crime, saying: “Iraq’s occupation of Kuwait, and the destruction, theft, looting, arson, violation of sanctities, capture, torture, and killing that accompanied and followed it, left enormous damage on all levels, social, economic, natural, and environmental, and caused the most terrible humanitarian and environmental disaster in the region in the military operations it caused, so it caused destruction and wasted natural resources.”.
In this context, she pointed to the criminal link between what happened in Kuwait in 1990 and what has been happening in Gaza and occupied Palestine for decades, continuing to this day, with the devastating destruction of natural resources due to the use of internationally prohibited weapons, the deliberate pollution and depletion of water and soil, and the destruction of infrastructure that contributes to long-term pollution. She declared the Kuwait Environment Protection Society's solidarity with the Palestinian people, a stance reflecting the Kuwaiti position, both government and people, and condemning the intensified Zionist aggression against the Gaza Strip. She denounced the Zionist crimes against humanity, land, water, and air, calling for the application of international humanitarian law, human rights, and environmental principles. She reiterated the demand for an international investigation into the environmental impact of these actions and renewed the heartfelt call for a ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Dr. Al-Aqab pointed out that “the Zionist deliberate use of the environment as a tool of war inevitably threatens water and food security, contributes to the spread of diseases, and disrupts efforts to combat environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, and suffering from pollution on land, sea, and air. As for the call for displacement, migration, and refuge as a result of this Zionist crime, we must emphasize that this leads to serious repercussions in terms of social, economic, and environmental aspects, and puts pressure on natural resources.”.
She pointed out that “environmental damage has been laid and its destructive hands have been extended to all levels, from living organisms and wildlife to different ecosystems, environmental health fields, water desalination plants, sewage networks, agriculture, plants, and fishing. The field is open to include everything that has been touched by the hand of destruction, sabotage, and ruin, which necessitates human rights organizations demanding the right to live safely in contrast to annihilation, and the right to live in an environment that does not pose a threat to the lives of humans and future generations. What is happening now is the best evidence of environmental annihilation that affects the safety of the current generation and future generations.”.
In this context, she noted “the historical and international role of the association when it adopted and led community efforts with Kuwaiti diplomacy to seek with the United Nations to adopt an international resolution considering November 6 of each year as an international day to prevent the use of the environment in wars and military conflicts, which was achieved thanks to the efforts of Kuwaiti diplomacy in the corridors of the United Nations organization. Indeed, the resolution was issued with the inclusion of the State of Kuwait’s annual awareness of it, and this is what the Kuwait Environment Protection Society undertakes annually through the celebration of November 6 every year.”.
