KUWAIT CITY — In a major disruption to regional aviation, Kuwait International Airport (KWI) was targeted by a swarm of “multiple drones” in the early hours of Saturday, March 28, 2026. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has confirmed that while no casualties were reported, the facility’s critical radar infrastructure sustained “significant and heavy damage.”
The Strike: Precision Targeting of Air Infrastructure
According to DGCA spokesperson Abdullah Al-Rajhi, the attack specifically focused on the airport’s technical systems, effectively blinding the hub’s ability to manage air traffic.
- Radar Destruction: Official statements to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) confirm that the primary radar installations were “heavily damaged,” rendering them inoperable for the foreseeable future.
- Casualties: Fortunately, no human injuries or deaths were recorded. Emergency teams and the Kuwaiti National Guard responded immediately to contain small fires resulting from the impacts.
- Airport Status: While the airport had already seen significant suspensions of commercial traffic due to the ongoing regional war, this strike further cements its closure. As of today, the official airport website shows no active arrivals or departures.
A Week of Relentless Pressure on Kuwait
This morning’s radar strike is the latest in a series of escalations targeting Kuwait’s strategic assets:
| Date | Target Site | Impact |
| March 25 | KWI Fuel Depot | Drone hit a fuel tank, sparking a massive blaze; no casualties. |
| March 27 | KWI Perimeter | Explosions reported near terminal buildings; minor structural damage. |
| March 28 | KWI Radar System | Significant damage to primary radar; air traffic grounded. |
| March 28 | Shuwaikh Port | Simultaneous drone hits reported at the port; material damage only. |
Military Response: “Hostile Interceptions”
The Kuwaiti Army issued a statement confirming that its air defense systems engaged a “barrage of hostile missiles and drones” early Saturday.
- Interception Operations: Explosions heard across Kuwait City were attributed to the National Guard and Army successfully shooting down at least six drones before they could reach further civilian or oil-related targets.
- Attribution: While Kuwaiti officials have not formally named the origin of the drones, the strikes are widely viewed as part of the “Axis of Resistance” retaliation for US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
The “Neutrality” Crisis
Kuwait’s position as a host to U.S. military assets has made it a recurring target in the 29-day conflict, despite its diplomatic efforts to remain neutral.
- Travel Refunds: The DGCA has recently mandated that all travel companies provide full refunds for canceled tickets within 15 working days, acknowledging that regular flight operations (including Kuwait Airways) are unlikely to resume soon.
- The Islamabad Summit: This latest attack adds to the urgent agenda for Monday’s high-level meeting in Islamabad, where Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt will discuss a joint security framework to protect civilian infrastructure in the Gulf.
