Several Kuwaiti firefighters and a civilian worker were injured on Saturday, 18 July while battling fires at two sites struck in Iranian attacks on Kuwait, authorities confirmed. The strikes triggered fires, disrupted operations at Kuwait International Airport, and knocked out a power generation and water desalination plant, marking a sharp escalation in regional hostilities.

Firefighting Operations and Casualties

The Kuwait Fire Force said in a statement on social media platform X that five crews were deployed to the first targeted site and three crews to the second. Injuries were reported at the first location, and the wounded were transferred to hospitals. The Fire Force did not disclose the severity of injuries or identify the exact locations of the two sites, noting that firefighting operations were still underway and further updates would follow.

Air Defences Intercept Missiles and Drones

Hours before the fires were reported, Kuwait said its air defence systems had intercepted 'hostile' missiles and drones during fresh attacks early Saturday. The General Staff of the Kuwaiti Army confirmed on X that explosions heard across parts of the country were caused by air defence systems engaging hostile targets, adding that the military was continuing to respond. Warning sirens were sounded across the country for the fourth time, according to the state news agency KUNA, as authorities managed the evolving security situation. The army urged the public to 'adhere to safety and security instructions issued by the relevant authorities.'

Airport Suspended, Kuwait Airways Reschedules Flights

Kuwait International Airport temporarily suspended takeoff and landing operations due to the ongoing missile and drone attacks. Kuwait Airways subsequently announced it had rescheduled most of its flights. The disruption added to the civilian impact of what authorities described as a sustained and multi-pronged assault.

Power Plant Hit, Electricity Conservation Urged

Kuwait's Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy confirmed that a power generation and water desalination plant was struck in a separate attack, triggering a fire. Several generating units were shut down as a precaution to protect the facility and maintain the stability of the national power grid. Emergency response and repair teams were deployed. The ministry called on citizens to conserve electricity, particularly during peak hours between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm local time (0800–1400 GMT).

Regional Context: US-Iran Deal Under Strain

The attacks come despite a US-Iran memorandum of understanding signed in mid-June, under which both sides were expected to hold negotiations within 60 days toward a final agreement. The strikes on Kuwait suggest that diplomatic framework has so far failed to contain Iranian military activity in the region. This is the fourth time sirens have sounded across Kuwait in the current escalation cycle, underlining the scale and persistence of the threat. The situation remains fluid, with Kuwaiti authorities continuing operations and promising further updates.