
What's Really Happening in Khaitan? Kuwait Raids Private Homes
The large-scale operation, carried out under the direct supervision of His Excellency the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, unfolded on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. Also present during the campaign were Engineer Manal Al-Asfour, Acting Director General of Kuwait Municipality, and Major General Hamed Al-Dawas, Assistant Undersecretary for Criminal Security Affairs, alongside senior officials from several cooperating agencies.
Teams from the General Department of Criminal Investigations, working in coordination with the Kuwait Municipality, the Public Fire Department, the Environment Public Authority, and the Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy, conducted a coordinated sweep through the Khaitan district—an area that has drawn increasing concern for unauthorized housing practices.
Authorities say the campaign specifically targeted residences that had been illegally converted into commercial establishments, subdivided into unsafe multiple units, or built in ways that violate Kuwait's strict private housing regulations. Some properties were found to be in danger of structural collapse, while others were operating without permits, compromising fire safety and environmental standards.
The inspections led to the identification of numerous violations, prompting immediate legal action by the relevant authorities. Properties found to be in breach of regulations are now subject to corrective measures, including demolition of illegal additions, fines, and legal proceedings against violators.
Officials stressed that these violations not only disrupt the character of residential neighborhoods, but also jeopardize public health and safety—especially in areas where illegal modifications interfere with building integrity or emergency response access.
The Ministry of Interior has vowed to continue these surprise inspections in various residential zones across the country as part of a broader initiative to enforce housing laws, restore urban order, and protect residents from the dangers posed by rogue property modifications.
A Ministry spokesperson reiterated: 'We are committed to preserving the safety, structure, and identity of Kuwait's residential areas. These violations will not be tolerated, and those responsible will be held accountable under the law.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Kuwait Times
8 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait, China push ahead on North Kabd Wastewater Plant
BEIJING: Ambassador Jasem Al-Najem is seen with a delegation from Kuwait's Ministry of Public Works during their visit to China. — KUNA BEIJING: Kuwait is pushing ahead with the development of its largest wastewater treatment facility, the North Kabd Wastewater Treatment Plant, in partnership with China, as part of broader efforts to deepen strategic cooperation between the two countries. The plant, set to be Kuwait's biggest in terms of capacity, will treat up to one million cubic meters of wastewater per day using advanced technologies and renewable energy. The visit was first announced during the July 24 weekly ministerial committee meeting chaired by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to track progress in implementing agreements between Kuwait and China. At the meeting, Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs Ambassador Sameeh Johar Hayat, said the visiting delegation will work with Chinese counterparts to discuss key environmental infrastructure projects, including the launch of the major wastewater treatment initiative. Kuwait's Ambassador to China Jasem Al-Najem emphasized the significance of the project during a visit by a delegation from Kuwait's Ministry of Public Works to Beijing. 'This visit comes as part of ongoing efforts to implement the memorandum of understanding related to the project, with close follow-up and strong commitment from the senior political leadership to accelerate the execution of all signed MoUs with China,' Al-Najem told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA). The Kuwaiti delegation toured wastewater treatment plants in Beijing to study water recycling systems and discussed technical and contractual aspects of the North Kabd project with Chinese officials. 'These mutual visits are essential to advancing our joint cooperation,' Al-Najem said, noting the growth of bilateral relations across various fields in recent years. He also praised Chinese companies for playing a key role in Kuwait's economic development, particularly through their involvement in major infrastructure projects. The North Kabd plant is one of several projects under a series of memorandums signed between Kuwait and China in 2023. Other initiatives include the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port, energy and housing development, economic zones, and low-carbon green waste recycling systems. — Agencies


Arab Times
13 hours ago
- Arab Times
First Deputy Prime Minister ... We want a more streamlined Visa Platform
First of all, His Excellency the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef, I must appreciate you for the 'Kuwait Visa' platform. It is a step in the right direction toward opening Kuwait to the world. It is in line with the move of other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which preceded us years ago when they opened their borders to everyone, enabling them to benefit from this by enhancing trade and building projects, while consolidating a service-based economy. For those who do not realize its importance, this economy is a major contributor to the gross domestic product (GDP). The Gulf countries' reliance on oil, without diversifying their sources of income, could ultimately lead to what happened to Nauru – a once-wealthy country, thanks to its phosphate reserves. Nauru got accustomed to rapid wealth without planning for the future, which led to its transformation into a failed State. It is now dependent on international aid. This warning crisis has alerted many countries regarding the need to diversify their sources of income; a step that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, and Bahrain have taken. Kuwait, however, has lagged due to parliamentary interventions when the National Assembly, in one form or another, was in power. Despite the excellent steps taken by the Ministry of Interior, those wishing to visit Kuwait for a project, family visit, or tourism continue to face obstacles. This means that the ministry entered through the door of openness, but exited through the window of secondary restrictions that do not exist in the same system of other Gulf states. Previously, a woman wishing to visit her family was required to obtain a ridiculous 'not pregnant' certificate (for which Kuwait is unique among all other countries in the world). It also required visitors to present a university degree certificate, among other things that are still in effect, and some complications seem even more absurd. For instance, expatriates are prevented from bringing certain family members, like grandchildren, because the 'Kuwait visa' does not have a box for grandchildren, does not require a set of documents, or has no 'box' for uploading such documents to the application. Without a doubt, this means that the effort applied is zero. When someone submits an application and is rejected under the pretext of 'security restrictions', there is no explanation for this restriction. In reality, and other countries around the world, this is clarified in detail, so that people can understand the violation. Perhaps, there is a similarity in names, which deprives Kuwait of the capital that one intended to invest in. Your Excellency, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, no one doubts your commitment to doing everything beneficial to the country. Nevertheless, we must speak frankly. This is not how things are done. The correct move is for us to see the benefits available in the world and work towards them, so that we can be the best. If we want visitors to come to us, we must make things easy. However, if the intention is to make things difficult, that is another matter! Your Excellency, the Minister, we address our message to the entire government: Enough with the closure of the country, a result of the approach followed during the time of the National Assembly. Today, Kuwait has about five million people, including four million expatriates. If each of them brings a relative to visit, this means significant economic activity, as well as a GDP that is almost equal to the income of a poor country. Therefore, facilitate and develop the 'Kuwait Visa' platform, following the example of other Gulf countries whose GDPs are many times greater than Kuwait's. Your Excellency, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, facilitate, do not complicate, so that the flag can visit Kuwait. What matters is that your security is strong and your eyes are open.

Kuwait Times
16 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
Ministry of Interior busts drug ring run from prison
KUWAIT: Kuwait's Interior Ministry announced Thursday the arrest of what it described as the country's largest criminal network smuggling and distributing the controlled substance Lyrica, seizing nearly 800,000 capsules and a large quantity of Lyrica powder. In a statement, the Ministry said the General Department for Drug Control, under the Criminal Security Sector, led the operation which dismantled the international ring that was importing and promoting the psychoactive drug in Kuwait. The confiscated items are valued at 'large sums of money,' the Ministry added. According to the statement, the main suspect — a Kuwaiti national already serving time in Central Prison — is known to authorities for multiple drug trafficking cases and has several convictions on record. Investigators tracked one of his accomplices, described as a stateless resident (bidoon), who was caught selling capsules to an undercover source. Continued surveillance led authorities to a remote livestock pen, or jakhour, in the Kabd area that the group had been renting through a Kuwaiti intermediary for KD 600 per month. During the raid, 'the suspect put up violent resistance, causing damage to a security vehicle,' the ministry said. Inside the facility, authorities discovered large quantities of Lyrica capsules and powder, along with tools used for packaging and distribution. Further investigation revealed the inmate had orchestrated the shipment of a large drug consignment from an unnamed Asian country via air freight. Customs officers were alerted, and upon inspection of the cargo terminal, authorities found 'seven large boxes' packed with Lyrica capsules. The ministry stressed that the General Department for Drug Control remains committed to 'intensive efforts to monitor and apprehend drug traffickers and promoters,' adding that 'anti-narcotics officers will remain a strong shield against this dangerous scourge.'