KUWAIT CITY, June 19: Kuwait’s Minister of Social Affairs and Family and Childhood Affairs, Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah and Minister of Commerce and Industry, Khalifa Al-Ajeel affirmed Thursday that Kuwait’s strategic reserves of essential commodities remain sufficient and closely monitored. This came in a joint press statement issued by the ministries following a meeting held between the two ministers as part of the activation of the national emergency response plan and in continuation of field visits and direct monitoring of cooperative societies’ preparedness.

The statement noted that the meeting reviewed reports from field teams monitoring stock levels regularly and assessed supply and distribution data to ensure effective responsiveness to any developments. During the meeting, the ministers instructed local companies and factories to prioritize supplying cooperative societies, emphasizing that these cooperatives are the designated entities for storing and distributing food supplies and are working around the clock to maintain market stability and meet consumer demand. The ministers also stressed the importance of raising awareness among citizens and residents about refraining from stockpiling or hoarding food products at home, to avoid the risks of spoilage or improper storage, noting that essential goods are available consistently and there is no cause for concern. Separately, the board of the Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) met on Thursday, discussing contingency plans amid the current regional escalation.

Ambassador Khaled Al-Maqamis, KRCS Chairman, told KUNA that the society was following with concern the current developments in the region, affirming that the KRCS would continue its rescue and humanitarian roles regionally and internationally in coordination with other local authorities. He asserted that the board had set a coordination mechanism with other state entities to swiftly respond to any emergency or developments via securing medical, food, and logistic supplies. Al-Maqamis commended the state’s current measures aimed at protecting citizens and residents alike. Meanwhile, Acting Director General of Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) Dr. Faisal Al-Humaidan affirmed Thursday that the institute is fully mobilizing its advanced technical and scientific capabilities in the service of the country, supporting State efforts to enhance national preparedness and effective response to radiological and nuclear incidents.

In a press statement, Al-Humaidan disclosed this is done in conjunction with the concerned authorities and under approved national frameworks in order to protect public health and the environment. He stressed that “the institute is fully prepared to provide technical support and scientific advice to decision-makers to enhance the ability of the country to respond to any radiological or nuclear emergency -- God forbid -- scientifically and systematically that mitigates the potential impact.” He stated that the institute plays a pivotal role in supporting the national emergency plan through its advanced systems, including a radiation monitoring network capable of accurately measuring and analyzing radiation levels in the air and detecting natural and industrial radiation sources. “This is in addition to laboratories specialized in analyzing radiation concentrations in soil, air, water, marine sediments and food; using the latest scientific technologies,” he stressed. He pointed out that the institute uses advanced digital simulation programs to predict the spread paths of radioactive materials in the air and water, and determine their concentrations with precise time and space; thereby, enabling the relevant authorities to take early and proactive precautionary measures.

He added the institute has a record of effective international cooperation in the fields of radiation protection and nuclear emergency preparedness, and has consistently represented Kuwait in scientific forums. “In collaboration with the relevant international organizations, and through its technical staff; KISR contributed to the preparation and updating of technical manuals and procedures for dealing with radiation accidents, in line with international standards and approved best practices,” he revealed. He then emphasized the importance of relying on official and reliable sources in disseminating information, especially in cases of a specialized technical nature. In related news, Foreign Affairs Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya affirmed Wednesday that Kuwait puts the safety of Kuwaiti citizens abroad on top of its priorities in view of the ongoing security developments in the region. In a telephone interview with Al- Akhbar News Channel, Al-Yahya asserted “we are always prepared to maintain direct communication with our embassies and consular offices abroad, and to closely monitor the locations of Kuwaiti citizens in Iran. No injuries have been reported among Kuwaitis in Iran from last Friday until Wednesday,” He said “the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently identifying the number of Kuwaitis stranded in the Islamic Republic of Iran, as part of the emergency plan of the State. Efforts are ongoing to ensure their return to the country as quickly as possible. The evacuation process is being carried out through the land borders between Iran and Iraq, where citizens are being transported to Kuwait. Although the figures are constantly changing, the accurate number of citizens in Tehran will be finalized soon.”

He revealed that Kuwait, as the current chair of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), held a virtual meeting on Saturday with the foreign ministers of other GCC member states, during which they condemned the Israeli attacks on Iran. He also reaffirmed the council’s continuous efforts to urge Iran to return to the negotiating table, and called for an immediate ceasefire and de-escalation in the region. “Kuwait is working within a GCC framework to monitor any radioactive indicators that might result from the escalation. So far, all indicators are normal. Kuwait operates its consular mission only from Tehran, and it is coordinating with other GCC consuls in different parts of Iran to offer help for Gulf citizens,” he asserted.

In addition, the Public Authority for Industry (PAI) has underscored the importance of securing major factories with strategic stocks of food, water and medicines; as well as ensuring the safety of its employees, particularly in Shuaiba Industrial Area, its headquarters, branches and subsidiaries. During an Emergency Committee meeting held recently as per the directive of Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalifa Al-Ajeel, acting Director General of PAI Jarallah Al- Dousari stressed the need to focus on precautionary measures; taking into consideration the rapid developments in the region. He confirmed that PAI continuously exerts tremendous efforts to protect its human resources and facilities, calling for coordinated action to deal with emergencies.

He also affirmed the activation of emergency teams and evacuation plans, in addition to the establishment of a direct hotline to guarantee rapid response and coordination with relevant authorities to monitor field readiness. Also, in its coordination meeting with the Union of Charitable Societies and Endowments, the Ministry of Social Affairs discussed the readiness of charitable organizations to deal with emergency situations. Undersecretary of the ministry Khaled Al-Ajmi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the union Saad Al-Otaibi, and Board members Fidaa Al-Waqyan and Mohammad Ashkanani attended the meeting as well. Al-Otaibi affirmed that the meeting refl ects the strong partnership between the ministry and the charitable sector with the aim to enhance national unity during crises. The union delegation praised the ministry’s role and assured the readiness of associations and endowments to fulfill their duty in serving the community. During the meeting, the union presented an initiative to strengthen the institutional preparedness of the charitable sector to face crises through four main tracks:

- Supporting needy groups and enhancing community protection,

- Providing supplementary humanitarian food supplies,

- Organizing specialized volunteer work in civil defense, health, and community services,

- Intensifying awareness campaigns to combat rumors and promote reassurance.

Furthermore, Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi underscored the need to disseminate accurate and reliable information to the public. In a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) when he visited the headquarters of the agency on Wednesday, Al-Mutairi stressed the importance of concerted efforts between official media outlets and to work with professionalism and objectivity. During the visit, Al-Mutairi met with the acting Director General of KUNA Mohammad Al-Mannai and several department heads. He was briefed on the media emergency plan of the agency to monitor the latest news and developments not just in the region, but around the world as well.

He praised the sincere national efforts of KUNA’s staff, indicating the need to abide by professional journalistic standards and ensure they remain updated with local and international developments. He expressed his full support for everything that activates the national role of the agency and his commitment to strengthen cooperation between State institutions, particularly in the media sector. In latest development, Israel’s defense minister threatened Iran’s supreme leader on Thursday after the latest missile barrage from Iran damaged the main hospital in southern Israel and hit several other residential buildings near Tel Aviv. Israel meanwhile struck a heavy water reactor that is part of Iran’s nuclear program. At least 240 people were wounded by the Iranian missiles, four of them seriously, according to Israel’s Health Ministry.

The vast majority were lightly wounded, including more than 70 people from the Soroka Medical Center in the southern city of Beersheba, where smoke rose as emergency teams evacuated patients. In the aftermath of the strikes, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz blamed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and said the military “has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist.” U.S. officials said this week that President Donald Trump had vetoed an Israeli plan to kill Khamenei. Trump later said there were no plans to kill him “at least not for now.” Israel carried out strikes on Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor, in its latest attack on the country’s sprawling nuclear program. The confl ict began last Friday with a surprise wave of Israeli airstrikes targeting military sites, senior officers and nuclear scientists. A Washington-based Iranian human rights group said at least 639 people, including 263 civilians, have been killed in Iran and more than 1,300 wounded.

In retaliation, Iran has fired over 400 missiles and hundreds of drones, killing at least 24 people in Israel and wounding hundreds. Meanwhile, an Israeli military official said that Iran used a missile with multiple warheads in an attack Thursday, posing a new challenge to its defenses. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity in line with military regulations. There was no immediate independent analysis that could be made. However, Iran has hinted in the past that it was pursuing such weaponry. Instead of having to track one warhead, missiles with multiple warheads can pose a more difficult challenge for air defense systems, like Israel’s Iron Dome. Two doctors told The Associated Press that the missile struck almost immediately after air raid sirens went off, causing a loud explosion that could be heard from a safe room.

They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief media. The hospital said the main impact was on an old surgery building that had been evacuated in recent days. After the strike, the medical facility was closed to all patients except for life-threatening cases, it said. Soroka has over 1,000 beds and provides services to around 1 million residents of Israel’s south. There were no serious injuries from the strike on the hospital. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack and vowed a response, saying: “We will exact the full price from the tyrants in Tehran.” Iran has fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel, though most have been shot down by Israel’s multi-tiered air defenses, which detect incoming fire and shoot down missiles heading toward population centers and critical infrastructure. Israeli officials acknowledge it is imperfect. Many hospitals in Israel activated emergency plans in the past week, converting underground parking to hospital floors and moving patients underground, especially those who are on ventilators or are difficult to move quickly. Israel also boasts a fortified, subterranean blood bank that kicked into action after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack ignited the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. Israel’s military said its fighter jets targeted the Arak facility and its reactor core seal in order to prevent it from being used to produce plutonium. “The strike targeted the component intended for plutonium production, in order to prevent the reactor from being restored and used for nuclear weapons development,” the military said. Israel separately claimed to have struck another site around Natanz it described as being related to Iran’s nuclear program.

By Abdulrahman Al-Shammari
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff and Agencies