Three decades on, Saddam's 'human shields' want answers Three decades on, Saddam's 'human shields' want answers More than three decades may have passed since they were held as human shields by Saddam Hussein in Iraq, but those caught up in the ordeal still want answers. Hundreds of passengers on board British Airways Flight 149 were taken to Iraq as human shields after Saddam Hussein's forces invaded Kuwait in August 1990. (Photo: AFP) 04 Aug 2021 06:41PM (Updated: 04 Aug 2021 08:39PM) LONDON: More than three decades may have passed since they were held as human shields by Saddam Hussein in Iraq, but those caught up in the ordeal still want answers.