Kuwait says its air defenses are responding to missile, drone attacks

Kuwait said early Friday that its air defense systems were responding to missile and drone attacks.

In a statement posted on the US social media company X’s platform, the Kuwaiti army said explosions heard in parts of the country were the result of air defense systems engaging “enemy targets.”

It did not specify the source of the attacks or provide further details but called on the public to follow official safety instructions.

On Thursday, Kuwait’s armed forces said they had detected and dealt with two cruise missiles and 13 hostile drones over Kuwaiti airspace during the previous 24 hours, with no casualties or material damage reported.

The region has been on alert since the US and Israel launched an air offensive on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,340 people so far, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel along with Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.