The Emir of Kuwait issued a rare and pointed public statement today, addressing the wave of Iranian missile and drone strikes that have targeted the Gulf state over the past week.
"Our country has been attacked in an abominable manner by a neighboring, Muslim state that we had considered friendly," the Emir stated. "These attacks have resulted in innocent victims among our people."
The Emir emphasized that Kuwait has gone to great lengths to remain neutral since the outbreak of Operation Epic Fury on February 28:
"We have not allowed our land, our skies, or our shores to be used for any military activity against [Iran].
We have communicated this repeatedly and clearly through all available diplomatic channels.
The security of our homeland is a red line" that cannot be crossed.
The Emir’s statement comes after ten days of significant turmoil within Kuwait’s borders:
On March 2, Kuwaiti air defenses accidentally shot down three U.S. F-15E jets during a massive Iranian missile wave, highlighting the chaos of the regional escalation.
Iranian drones have struck the Kuwait International Airport and the Social Security Building in Kuwait City, while a missile strike reportedly hit near the U.S. Embassy.
Kuwaiti authorities have reported at least 7 soldiers and several civilians killed, with dozens more injured since the hostilities began.
Just today, Kuwaiti envoys presented Iraq with intelligence showing that some of the drones targeting Kuwaiti infrastructure were launched from Iraqi territory by Iranian-backed militias.
