GCC Monitors Radiation Risk Amid Regional Escalation
In a televised interview with Al-Akhbar TV, Minister Al-Yahya emphasized that the safety of Kuwaiti nationals abroad remains a top priority, noting that "no injuries or health-related incidents have been reported among Kuwaiti citizens since the start of the Israeli assault on Iran last Friday." He confirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has activated its emergency response plan, beginning with an immediate census of Kuwaiti nationals across Iranian cities. 'We started the process in Tehran, then moved on to Mashhad and Qom. We have maintained direct contact with all citizens, recorded their whereabouts, and are working to evacuate them at the earliest opportunity via the nearest exit routes,' he said.
The minister explained that evacuations are currently being carried out through land crossings into Iraq, with onward travel to Kuwait coordinated with local and regional authorities. 'We are also transporting some citizens through Turkmenistan, with flights arranged from Ashgabat to Kuwait,' he added. Sheikh Al-Yahya assured that the evacuation operations are proceeding in close coordination with neighboring countries, underscoring Kuwait's diplomatic efforts to facilitate safe passage. 'We are doing everything necessary to ensure our citizens return home swiftly and safely,' he stated.
As the current chair of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Kuwait has taken a leading diplomatic role since the escalation began. The minister revealed that a video conference was convened on Saturday with GCC foreign ministers, resulting in a unified condemnation of Israel's military operations and a collective call for de-escalation and a return to negotiations. Al-Yahya also confirmed that the Gulf states are actively monitoring the situation for any signs of radiation fallout due to strikes on sensitive sites in Iran. 'All current readings are stable, but we remain vigilant,' he said.
Regarding consular support, the minister noted that Kuwait operates a single diplomatic mission in Tehran, while other Gulf countries have additional consulates in Mashhad and Qom. 'Despite this, we function as a united Gulf team, ensuring that all Gulf nationals in Iran receive adequate support, regardless of where they are,' he said. The minister concluded by reiterating Kuwait's full diplomatic mobilization to protect its citizens and promote regional stability: 'Our goal remains clear—safeguard our people and contribute to efforts that bring peace and security to the region.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Kuwait Times
5 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
Arab-Japanese Youth Forum strengthens cultural dialogue
Young participants exchange views and promote cultural rapprochement CAIRO: The Arab-Japanese Youth Forum: Bridges of Dialogue and Culture kicked off Wednesday at the Arab League headquarters, bringing together young participants to exchange views and promote cultural rapprochement. The event was organized in cooperation with the Japanese Embassy in Cairo. In his opening remarks, Arab League Assistant Secretary General for Administrative and Financial Affairs Ambassador Mohammad Al-Ajery said the League attaches great importance to fostering international dialogue and cooperation. He noted that the League has established several cooperation forums and memoranda of understanding with countries, international organizations and regional blocs, reflecting its commitment to strengthening relations with global partners. Al-Ajery highlighted the longstanding cooperation between Arab countries and Japan, which dates back to the launch of the Arab-Japanese Economic Forum in 2009 and the establishment of ministerial-level political dialogue in 2013. That year also saw the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the Arab League and the Japanese government to encourage dialogue between civilizations and promote intellectual and cultural exchange. The Arab-Japanese Youth Forum kicks off at the Arab League.- KUNA photos He added that the League Council, in its 163rd ministerial session held in April 2025, reaffirmed the determination of member states to enhance ties with Japan in political, economic, social and cultural fields. Within this framework, the current forum was convened to introduce Arab and Japanese youth to each other's cultures and deepen mutual understanding. For his part, Japanese Ambassador to Cairo Fumio Iwai stressed that cultural dialogue among youth complements political and economic cooperation, helping to strengthen relations between Japan and the Arab world at the grassroots level. 'We believe that youth will lead future generations towards a bright future,' he said. Iwai also addressed regional developments, describing the humanitarian situation in Gaza as 'extremely harsh.' He praised the Arab League's efforts to improve conditions in the Strip and push for a ceasefire and the establishment of a Palestinian state. The envoy reiterated Japan's firm support for a two-state solution and said Tokyo has provided $230 million in humanitarian aid to Palestine since October 2023, including assistance to the Palestinian Authority, health care and food relief. The forum's agenda includes discussions on 'Youth and Cultural Diversity: Confronting Stereotypes,' exploring challenges in intercultural interaction, the role of education in fostering tolerance, and the impact of art, culture and social media in bridging societies. Participants are expected to put forward recommendations to strengthen communication between Arab and Japanese youth. Cultural activities accompanying the forum feature traditional Japanese demonstrations, including tea ceremony and Ikebana flower arrangement, alongside Arab cultural showcases prepared by youth trainees at the Arab League's General Secretariat. - KUNA
Arab Times
6 hours ago
- Arab Times
Sad Sudan, happy Al-Nafisi
Omar al-Bashir's rule over Sudan is widely regarded as one of the darkest and most unjust periods in the country's history. He caused severe disasters and grave injustices throughout Sudan, sparking armed conflicts and deep humanitarian crises due to the political and economic mismanagement of the country. This was especially evident in the long civil wars in the south, Darfur, and eastern Sudan, which led to millions of deaths and displacements. He left Sudan in its current tragic state, which the world has often chosen to ignore or neglect, except for certain countries with mineral interests in Sudan, which initially fueled these civil wars. As a result of the crimes of Al-Bashir, who was accused of causing millions of deaths and the loss of countless properties, and whose harm extended to the entire population, he was internationally convicted of war crimes, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, rape, and creating some of the worst conditions in history. Nearly 12 million Sudanese were displaced due to ethnic cleansing, wars, extreme poverty, widespread famine, lack of security and services, and the spread of disease. The country's infrastructure completely collapsed amid ongoing unrest, killings, assassinations, arbitrary arrests, and the use of child soldiers. Omar al-Bashir and Hassan Turabi of the Muslim Brotherhood came to power on June 30, 1989, through a military coup that overthrew the elected civilian government led by Sadiq Mahdi. Al-Bashir then consolidated all power and ruled with authoritarian force, backed by the National Islamic Front, which emerged from the Muslim Brotherhood. He remained in power for nearly 30 years, during which he suppressed political opposition, carried out widespread arbitrary arrests and torture, and curtailed freedoms. His rule was also marked by repressive policies and extreme religious extremism, culminating in Sudan losing over 660,000 square kilometers of territory following the secession of the south. His crimes and accusations of genocide led to the issuance of international arrest warrants against him. His rule came to an end following widespread protests and a massive popular uprising, which culminated in a coup and his imprisonment on April 11, 2019. He is currently receiving medical treatment under guard at a hospital in the Merowe region in northern Sudan, after his health deteriorated in detention. Despite this grim and bloody history, and with partisan loyalty still flowing, political analyst Abdullah Al-Nafisi recently stated in an interview, in response to a question from the presenter, that the Muslim Brotherhood in Sudan had succeeded in their coup led by Bashir and Turabi. The supposed 'proof' offered is that they ruled Sudan for thirty years, built bridges, opened universities, and provided electricity. But Al-Nafisi overlooks a crucial fact - longevity in power, especially under a dictatorship, is not a measure of success. Saddam ruled Iraq for thirty years. Gaddafi held Libya for forty years. The two Assads' rule of Syria lasted for more than half a century. And what was the result? I will leave that for you to judge. Incidentally, our friend has delivered two lectures telling the same story with notable differences. In the first, he claims that, according to a CIA official named Godsman, whom he says he met at a 1992 conference, the end of some Gulf states, including Kuwait, would come in 2020. In the second lecture, he repeats the same story, but this time the official's name is Aaron Katz, and the predicted end of Kuwait is moved to 2025. Yet, despite these contradictions, there are still many, too many to count, who continue to follow his example. By Ahmad alsarraf
Kuwait Times
15 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
Gulf Group welcomes UN listing of Israeli occupation for sexual violence
NEW YORK: The Gulf Group at the United Nations welcomed the inclusion of the Israeli occupation in the UN Secretary-General's annual report on sexual violence during armed Group described the decision as a 'first and essential step' toward accountability and recognition of violations committed against the Palestinian people. The remarks were delivered by Kuwait's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Tareq Al-Bannai, on behalf of the Gulf Group, during a UN Security Council session on Women, Peace and Security. The Council discussed Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' comprehensive report on sexual violence in armed conflict, covering the period from January to December said the report's findings remind the world it remains far from its goals despite repeated commitments, adding that sexual violence continues as a weapon of war, terror, and political repression. The Gulf states, he added, cannot ignore that sexual violence is used to forcibly displace populations, tear apart societies, and spread fear among civilians. He condemned the Israeli occupation's refusal to allow UN officials access to the occupied Palestinian territory, calling this an 'unacceptable obstruction' of investigative efforts and urged immediate and unconditional facilitation of such visits. Al-Bannai also drew attention to Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Myanmar, where entire communities have endured collective trauma from widespread sexual violence, often with ethnic targeting. He called on all parties to cooperate with the UN, ensure documentation of crimes, protect survivors, and prevent reprisals. The ambassador warned that the persistence of such crimes undermines peace and security, affirming that accountability is not optional but a legal and moral duty, and survivors must see justice delivered through national courts or international mechanisms where necessary. The Gulf Group expressed support for the Secretary-General's recommendations, including sanctions such as travel bans, asset freezes, and the recognition of sexual violence as a standard criterion for sanctions regimes. The statement also called for vetting of armed and security forces to exclude perpetrators and for binding provisions against sexual violence in ceasefire and peace underscored the importance of deploying Women Protection Advisers with sustainable UN funding, alongside survivor rehabilitation and awareness concluded that sexual violence in conflict is not inevitable but a preventable crime, ending it requires political will, accountability, and unwavering support for survivors.' We owe it to the victims and survivors whose suffering has been documented in this report, and to those whose stories may never be told, to turn words into tangible action,' he said. — KUNA
