Desert Storm and Desert Shield memorial in Washington, DC gift to American people
The project reflects the profound gratitude of the Kuwaiti people for the United States’ decisive role in liberating Kuwait from the Iraqi invasion in 1991 – Ambassador Sheikha Al-Zain Al-Sabah
Kuwait’s Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Sheikha Al-Zain Al-Sabah, announced on Wednesday the commencement of construction on a memorial dedicated to Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield. The monument will be located in a prominent site in downtown Washington, D.C., and is slated for inauguration in the fall of 2026.
In a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) during the Kuwaiti Embassy’s participation in the U.S. Memorial Day commemorations, Ambassador Al-Zain described the project as a deeply meaningful tribute. “This historic monument is a gift from the State of Kuwait to the American people, in honor of the heroic deeds written with the lives and blood of both Americans and Kuwaitis,” she said.
She underscored that the memorial will serve not only as a tribute to past sacrifices, but also as a lasting symbol of the extraordinary partnership forged between Kuwait and the United States during one of the most critical moments in modern history.
“It is not merely a monument to the past — it is a beacon of the enduring alliance that stood firm when sovereignty, freedom, and justice were on the line,” the ambassador stated.
“It will stand in the heart of Washington as a reminder of these sacrifices and a message to future generations about the strength of Kuwaiti-American ties.”
Ambassador Al-Zain emphasized that the project reflects the profound gratitude of the Kuwaiti people for the United States’ decisive role in liberating Kuwait from the Iraqi invasion in 1991. “This monument embodies a mutual commitment to peace and to the shared values that continue to shape our bilateral relationship,” she said.
She concluded by noting that the Kuwaiti Embassy’s participation in the annual U.S. Memorial Day observance is a reaffirmation of that commitment. “It is a reflection of the spirit of loyalty, appreciation, and enduring friendship that remains the cornerstone of relations between our two nations.”
Memorial Day, held annually on the last Monday of May, honors U.S. military personnel who gave their lives in service to the nation. The tradition began on May 30, 1868, with the first observance at Arlington National Cemetery.
