Kuwait woke up on Saturday to the sounds of fragments falling onto buildings. It was the result of ballistic missiles being intercepted in mid-air. Apparently, Kuwait was under attack.
Iran attacked Kuwait and Bahrain on Saturday, in retaliation for the US’s continued aerial attacks on Iranian vessels.
Earlier on Wednesday, Iran had launched missile attacks on Kuwait airport. Kuwait had just reopened the airport after weeks of closure, following previous destruction from Iranian strikes.
One drone hit a passenger terminal directly. The ceasefire between Iran and the US-Israeli duo is officially still on, hence the attack took everyone by surprise.
Kuwait is not at war with any country, yet its airport has suffered significant damage. According to Brig Gen Saud Abdulaziz Al-Atwan of the Kuwaiti defense, the Iranian attack caused injuries and damage to buildings. A person died, and over 60 sustained injuries.
Operations at the Kuwaiti Airport Disrupted
The Iranian drone attack on Kuwait disrupted operations at the Kuwaiti Airport. Incoming flights had to be diverted to other airports as traffic operations were suspended.
Why is Iran Attacking Kuwait?
Iran is keeping to its word. Weeks ago, Iran warned that if the US resumed war after declaring a ceasefire, Iran would behave this way. This means its counter-attacks would include countries that have given the US space from which to attack Iran.
In addition to Iran attacking Kuwait, its foreign ministry has issued a statement, blaming Kuwait and Bahrain for being sell-outs. Iran specifically accused the two countries of allowing the United States, the “colonialist”, to attack Iran from their territories.
The mid-week Iranian attacks were in response to US strikes on its oil tanker around the Strait of Hormuz. As for yesterday’s attack on Kuwait and Bahrain, Iran said it was in retaliation for the US attacks on Iran’s surveillance assets in Iran’s Qeshm Island.
Kuwait’s Response to the Iranian Attack
Following the aerial attacks on Kuwait, Hamad Suleiman al-Mashaan, Kuwait’s deputy foreign minister, protested against Iran. He did so through Hamed Hamid Yaqoubi Far, Iran’s chargé d’affaires.
Kuwait also singled out two Iranian embassy staff for ejection. Declaring them persona non grata, Kuwait ordered them to leave Kuwait within 24 hours.
Meanwhile, Iran has threatened to respond to every strike on its assets with multiple strikes. The recent Iranian attacks on Kuwait show that the period of war uncertainty is not about to end.