Multiple drones strike Kuwait International Airport, radar damaged

2026-03-15 - 11:02

Multiple unmanned aerial vehicles struck Kuwait International Airport on Saturday evening, causing damage to the facility's radar system but resulting in no injuries, according to official sources. The Kuwaiti Civil Aviation Authority confirmed in a statement that the airport was targeted by several drones in an attack that activated emergency protocols established since the beginning of the current regional crisis. Authority spokesperson Abdullah Al-Rajhi provided details of the incident, confirming that the drones specifically hit the airport's radar infrastructure. The statement emphasized that the situation was managed according to established emergency procedures in full coordination with relevant state authorities, and that all necessary measures continue to be implemented to ensure the security and safety of civil aviation in Kuwait. Military Confirms Air Defense Response Separately, the Kuwaiti army issued a statement confirming that its air defense systems engaged "hostile missile and drone attacks." The military explained that any explosions heard in the area resulted from interception operations as defense systems successfully engaged incoming threats. The attack on Kuwait's primary international airport represents a significant escalation in the region, as Gulf states increasingly find themselves drawn into the widening conflict. Türkiye continues to monitor these developments closely, as the security situation along the Gulf impacts broader regional stability. Regional Context of Rising Tensions The drone strike comes against the backdrop of sharply increased hostilities following February 28 joint attacks by Israel and the United States on Iranian territory. That operation resulted in more than 1,200 deaths, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In response, Tehran has launched retaliatory drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries, explicitly aiming at what it describes as "US military assets" stationed in these nations. Kuwait, which hosts American military forces, now joins the list of Gulf countries directly impacted by the expanding conflict. The attack on its international airport raises concerns about the vulnerability of civilian infrastructure amid the ongoing military exchanges between Iran and the US-led coalition.