KUWAIT CITY, July 24: In a bold new operation targeting illegal housing practices, Kuwaiti authorities have launched a sweeping inspection campaign in Khaitan, cracking down on private residences that have been unlawfully altered, commercialized, or structurally compromised—posing risks to both public safety and the city’s urban integrity.

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.”