All air travel at Kuwait International Airport came to a standstill Wednesday after unmanned aircraft and missiles targeted Terminal 1, leaving multiple people injured and causing extensive structural damage, officials reported.
Kuwait’s military released a social media statement explaining that “the Defense Ministry stated that several drones attacked Terminal 1 at Kuwait International Airport as part of the Iranian aggression. The attack caused significant material damage to the terminal and wounded several people, who received the necessary medical treatment.”
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation immediately put emergency protocols into action and shut down all airport activities. According to a statement distributed by the state Kuwait News Agency, officials suspended both incoming and outgoing flights while implementing crisis response measures.
Planes scheduled to land were rerouted to other airports while officials examined the extent of the destruction and reviewed safety conditions at the facility. Officials indicated that flight operations would stay grounded until all necessary safety protocols are finished and the airport receives clearance to restart regular services.
The assault inflicted major structural harm to Terminal 1, which serves as one of the airport’s main facilities for passenger traffic. Though multiple people sustained injuries, officials have not yet released specific numbers regarding casualties.
The terminal attack occurred following overnight alarm reports in Bahrain and Kuwait, roughly one hour after the United States disclosed it had targeted an unoccupied oil vessel in the Strait of Hormuz as the ship traveled toward an Iranian port.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards took credit for missile and drone strikes throughout the Gulf region, stating that American military installations were their primary objectives. CNN characterized the incident as the most extensive series of attacks in recent weeks while diplomatic talks continue regarding conflict resolution.
Previously, the US military reported that two Iranian missiles directed at Kuwait either failed to reach their destination or disintegrated mid-flight. Officials also noted that three missiles aimed at Bahrain were successfully stopped by US and Bahraini defense forces.
The Revolutionary Guards stated their attacks were a response to an American strike on Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf. The United States has indicated that their strike was a reaction to an Iranian attack.
Reuters had earlier documented explosions on Qeshm Island, although no subsequent reports verified whether any specific locations were damaged.
