The Kuwaiti authorities have arrested a citizen suspected of planning terrorist activities targeting U.S. military installations within Kuwait. According to the Public Prosecution, the individual is accused of joining a prohibited organization and orchestrating terrorist acts within the country. The announcement, made on Wednesday, detailed that the suspect had engaged in disseminating propaganda for the terror group through social media platforms, promoting its activities and ideology.
Furthermore, the suspect had reportedly acquired skills in manufacturing explosives and incited others to learn these skills with the specific intent of targeting U.S. military bases. Upon interrogation, the accused confessed to the charges. The prosecution has ordered the arrest of additional suspects involved in the plot as investigations continue.
This development follows a January disclosure by the Kuwaiti authorities of foiling another terror plot aimed at Shiite worship places, where three suspects linked to ISIS were apprehended. Notably, ISIS had claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on the Imam Sadiq Mosque in June 2015, which resulted in 26 fatalities and over 200 injuries during a Ramadan Friday prayer.
The U.S. has maintained a significant military presence in Kuwait since the Gulf War in 1991. This presence was expanded after the September 11 attacks, with the establishment of several military bases, including Camp Arifjan. The U.S. presence in Kuwait serves multiple purposes, such as counterterrorism efforts, maintaining regional security, and providing strategic advantages for operations in the Middle East.
The benefits of the U.S. military presence in Kuwait include enhanced partnership opportunities between the U.S. and Kuwait, contributing to regional stability and security, and supporting economic benefits through infrastructure development and local spending by U.S. forces. The U.S. military also plays a key role in training and joint exercises with Kuwaiti forces, which strengthens cooperation and improves the capabilities of both nations’ armed forces.
As of recent estimates, over 13,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Kuwait, primarily at Camp Arifjan. This base is well-equipped with facilities to support the troops’ needs and is strategically located near important regions like Iraq and the Persian Gulf.
