Kuwait – The region witnessed a dangerous military escalation following missile and drone attacks on vital civilian facilities in Kuwait. The official spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense, Colonel Saud Abdulaziz Al-Atwan, stated that a number of hostile drones targeted Terminal 1 (T1) at Kuwait International Airport. This was a result of what he described as “Iranian aggression.”
Colonel Al-Atwan confirmed that the attack resulted in significant material damage to the building’s facilities, in addition to several people sustaining injuries of varying severity. They were immediately transferred to receive necessary medical care. The military spokesman emphasized that the Kuwaiti Armed Forces are closely monitoring the situation on the ground and are in full coordination with the relevant authorities. He affirmed that the army is fully prepared to deal with any developments. He also confirmed that all necessary and stringent measures have been taken to maintain the country’s security and stability.
In a related development, the Kuwaiti Directorate General of Civil Aviation announced the activation of its maximum emergency plan at the airport and the suspension of all departing flights. Incoming flights were diverted to alternative airports in neighboring countries until further notice. The activation of this plan entails the mobilization of all security, medical, and civil defense units to assess the extent of structural damage. Furthermore, it aims to ensure the safety of passengers and staff within the airport premises.
The repercussions of the attack extended to the service sector; the National Bank of Kuwait announced the closure of its two branches at Kuwait International Airport (T1 and T4) effective Wednesday until further notice, in the interest of the safety of customers and employees. However, services will continue to be provided through electronic channels and self-service branches.
This shocking attack came after a night of intense missile and drone strikes launched by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) against Kuwaiti territory. Despite earlier assurances from Kuwaiti officials and the US Central Command (CENTCOM) that air defense systems had successfully intercepted and destroyed the majority of the incoming missiles, the fact that some projectiles reached the perimeter of the civilian airport constituted a serious security breach. Joint committees have begun their investigations to assess the damage and formulate a decisive strategic response.
