Skyline of Kuwait City. (Photo: AFP archive)
The Kuwaiti Interior Ministry announced Wednesday it had foiled a "terrorist" plot and arrested members of a 20-person network, some of whom have fled abroad, including Kuwaiti, Iranian, Lebanese, and other nationals, according to a statement published by the Lebanese state-run National News Agency (NNA). The suspects were "linked to Hezbollah" and the network was preparing assassinations of state figures and leaders, as well as recruiting people to carry out these missions, the ministry said.
The ministry specified that five Kuwaitis and one foreigner were arrested, while the other 14 people — five Kuwaitis, five non-Kuwaitis, two Iranians, and two Lebanese — are on the run. It assured that a plot orchestrated by these individuals had been thwarted.
Kuwaiti authorities said the suspects "admitted to having engaged in espionage and joining the organization, and that they were ready to carry out the missions they would be assigned, including assassinations." The ministry stated that the suspects "received advanced military training abroad given by members and leaders of Hezbollah, including the use of weapons and explosives, surveillance techniques, and assassination skills, which constitutes a grave betrayal of the homeland and a clear violation of the duties of loyalty and belonging."
The Kuwaiti Interior Ministry emphasized that "the actions of this cell constitute an extremely serious criminal act and a major betrayal of the homeland, directly targeting the security, leaders, and symbols of Kuwait, and attempting to undermine its stability."
This is the second time Kuwait has announced the neutralization of such a cell. Two weeks ago, the Interior Ministry said its services had arrested a group "affiliated with Hezbollah," which is banned in the country. The party has denied these accusations.
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