With the support of a nearly - unanimous United Nations coalition, Kuwait was liberated from brutal invasion and occupation by Iraqi armed forces on February 26, 1991. On March 2, the United Nations passed resolution 686 and 687 as part of a broad cease-fire agreement which was accepted by Iraq. These two resolutions called upon Iraq immediately to release all Kuwaiti and third country nationals held prisoner, and to facilitate their repatriation by extending all co-operation to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
There were still up to 605 prisoners in Iraqi prisons. Most of the prisoners are Kuwaitis. They are not just young men, but also women, mothers of young children, young people and very old people.