List of wars involving Kuwait

Last updated

This is a list of wars involving the State of Kuwait and its predecessor states.

Contents

Conflict Kuwait
and allies
Opponents Results Kuwaiti losses Head of State
Military Civilians
Battle of Chains (629 or 633) (part of Muslim conquest of Mesopotamia) Rashidun Caliphate Derafsh Kaviani flag of the late Sassanid Empire.svg Sasanian Empire Rashidun Caliphate victory
Utbi Invasion of Bahrain
(1782–1783)
Flag of Kuwait Al-Sulami 1746-1871.svg Sheikhdom of Kuwait
Flag of Bahrain (before 1820).svg Zubarah
Zand Dynasty flag.svg Persia Victory
  • Naval attack by the Bushehri navy on Zubarah in 1782 fails.
  • Civil war starts in Bahrain after the attack on Zubarah.
  • Jidhafs win the civil war, however, by this time the Zubarans had just entered the country.
  • Zubarah gains control of Bahrain in 1783
~?
Battle of Al-Raqah [1]
(1783)
Flag of Kuwait Al-Sulami 1746-1871.svg Sheikhdom of Kuwait Flag of Ayyubid Dynasty.svg Banu Kaab Victory
  • Kuwaiti victory over Banu Kaab.
~No Recorded Casualties
Ibn Ufaisan's Invasion
(1793)
Flag of Kuwait Al-Sulami 1746-1871.svg Sheikhdom of Kuwait
Union flag 1606 (Kings Colors).svg Great Britain
Flag of the First Saudi State.svg Emirate of Diriyah Victory
  • Saudi retreat from Kuwait.
~?
Battle of Khakeekera [2]
(1811)
Flag of Kuwait Al-Sulami 1746-1871.svg Sheikhdom of Kuwait
Flag of Bahrain (before 1820).svg Bahrain
Flag of the First Saudi State.svg Emirate of Diriyah Victory
  • Rahmah ibn Jabir al-Jalahimah's invasion of Bahrain repelled.
~1000 (Kuwait and Bahrain)
~
Sheikh Humoud's Revolt [3]
(1828)
Flag of Kuwait Al-Sulami 1746-1871.svg Sheikhdom of Kuwait
Flag of the Ottoman Empire (1517-1844).svg Ottoman Empire
Arab tribes Victory
  • Kuwaiti intervention in Basra leads to ceasefire with the Bani Kaab.
  • Sheikh Humoud imprisoned by Governor of Baghdad Dawud Pasha and replaced by his nephew Sheikh Aqeel as Emir of the Muntafiq tribal confederation.
~?
Siege of Basra [3]
(1831)
Flag of Kuwait Al-Sulami 1746-1871.svg Sheikhdom of Kuwait
Arab tribes
Flag of the Ottoman Empire (1517-1844).svg Ottoman Empire Victory
  • End of several week long siege of Basra by the allies of former Baghdad governor Dawud Pasha.
  • Arab demands met with the Re-installation of Aziz Agha as Mutasallim of Basra.
~?
Siege of Al-Zubair [4]
(1833)
Flag of Kuwait Al-Sulami 1746-1871.svg Sheikhdom of Kuwait
House of Al Thaqib
Arab tribes
Zubair Victory
  • End of the seven-month-long siege of Zubair.
  • Restoration of the Al Thaqib family as the ruling house of Zubair.
  • Massacre of the House of Al Zuhair by the reinstated House of Al Thaqib; survivors find refuge in Kuwait and Ottoman Iraq.
~?
Invasion of Muhammara [5]
(1837)
Flag of Kuwait Al-Sulami 1746-1871.svg Sheikhdom of Kuwait
Flag of the Ottoman Empire (1517-1844).svg Ottoman Empire
Flag of Ayyubid Dynasty.svg Banu Kaab Victory
  • Capture and destruction of Muhammara (Khorramshahr) by Ali Rida Pasha, Governor of Baghdad.
  • Banu Kaab pays homage to the Ottomans rather than the Persians.
  • Kuwait wins alliance with the Ottoman Empire and becomes unrivaled in sharing with Basra the commercial prosperity in the northern region of the Gulf with the fall of Muhammara.
~?
Al-Hasa Expedition [6] [7]
(1870–1871)
Flag of Kuwait Al-Sulami 1746-1871.svg Sheikhdom of Kuwait
Flag of the Ottoman Empire.svg Ottoman Empire
Arab tribes
Flag of the First Saudi State.svg Emirate of Nejd Victory
  • Al Hasa is reincorporated into the Ottoman Empire and becomes known as the Najd Sanjak.
  • Sheikh Abdullah bin Sabah Al Sabah the ruler of Kuwait is granted the honorific title [8] of Kaymakam by the Ottomans for his contribution to the war effort. [9]
~?
Kuwaiti–Rashidi War
(1900-1901)
Flag of the Ottoman Empire.svg Sheikhdom of Kuwait Flag of the Emirate of Ha'il.svg Jabal Shammar Inconclusive
  • Kuwaiti Invasion of Najd repelled.
  • Jabal Shammar Counter-Invasion Fails
~1,200
~
Battle of Jo-Laban [10] [11]
(1903)
Flag of the Ottoman Empire.svg Sheikhdom of Kuwait Flag of the Emirate of Ha'il.svg Jabal Shammar Victory
~?
Battle of Hadia [12]
(1910)
Flag of the Ottoman Empire.svg Sheikhdom of Kuwait
Al-Muntafiq Victory
  • Kuwaiti-Saudi initial defeat at the Battle of Hadia.
  • Sheikh Mubarak sends another force which easily claims victory against the Al Muntafiq tribe.
~338
~
Mesopotamian Campaign [13] [14] [15]
(1914–1918)
Flag of Kuwait (1914-1921).svg Sheikhdom of Kuwait (1914)
Flag of the United Kingdom (1-2).svg British Empire
Flag of the Ottoman Empire (1844-1922).svg Ottoman Empire
Flag of the German Empire.svg German Empire
Victory

Kuwaiti Front:

  • Ottoman forces expelled from their positions in Umm Qasr, Safwan, and Bubiyan.
  • British public recognition of Kuwait as a protectorate proclaiming it to be an “independent government under British protection. [16]

British Front:

~?
Kuwait–Najd War
(1919–1920)
Flag of Kuwait (1914-1921).svg Sheikhdom of Kuwait Flag of the Emirate of Nejd and Hasa.svg Emirate of Nejd and Hasa Kuwaiti Military victory, Najdi Political Victory
~200
Ikhwan Revolt
(1927–1930)
Flag of Kuwait (1921-1940).svg Sheikhdom of Kuwait
Flag of Nejd (1926).svgFlag of the Emirate of Nejd and Hasa.svg Nejd and Hejaz
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom
Flag of Ikhwan.svg Ikhwan Victory
  • Ikhwan attack on Kuwait repelled.
  • The remnants of the Ikhwan incorporated into regular Saudi units.
  • The Ikhwan leadership was either slain or imprisoned.
~14 [17]
~
Operation Vantage
(1961-1963)
Flag of Kuwait.svg Kuwait
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom
Flag of Saudi Arabia (1938-1973).svg Saudi Arabia
Flag of Jordan.svg Jordan
Flag of the United Arab Republic.svg United Arab Republic
Flag of Sudan (1956-1970).svg Sudan
Flag of Iraq (1959-1963).svg Iraq Mission success

.

~None
Al-Samita border skirmish
(1973)
Flag of Kuwait.svg Kuwait Flag of Iraq (1963-1991); Flag of Syria (1963-1972).svg Iraq Ceasefire
  • Pull back of Iraqi Armed Forces to the demarcation line set by the Arab League during Operation Vantage 1961.
  • Iraqi withdrawal from Al-Samita border post under Saudi pressure. [18]
~2
~
October War
(1973)
(part of the Arab–Israeli conflict and the Cold War)
Flag of Israel.svg Israel Defeat [25]
  • At the final ceasefire:
    • Egyptian forces held 1,200 km2 (460 sq mi) on the eastern bank of the canal. [26]
    • Israeli forces held 1,600 km2 (620 sq mi) on the western bank of the canal. [27]
    • Israeli forces held 500 km2 (193 sq mi) of the Syrian Bashan region of the Golan Heights.
42
~
Invasion of Kuwait
(1990)
(part of the Gulf War)

Flag of Kuwait.svg Kuwait

Flag of Iraq (1963-1991).svg Iraq

Iraqi victory420 [28] ?
Gulf War
(19901991)
(part of the Arab Cold War)

Flag of Iraq (1963-1991).svg  Iraq Coalition victory
~200
~1,000
Yemeni Civil War
(2015–present)
(part of the Yemeni civil war and the Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict)
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Saudi Arabia [30]
The Alliance
Flag of Yemen.svg  Slogan of the Houthi Movement.svg  Revolutionary Committee/Supreme Political Council
Allies

Flag of Jihad.svg Al-Qaeda

Ongoing
~None

Nawaf I
Mishal I
Direct Involvement in the Middle Eastern Crisis
(2026-present)

October 7 attacks:
Flag of Israel.svg Israel

Armed Israeli Citizens

Gaza War & West Bank Incursions:
Flag of Israel.svg Israel
Israeli-backed groups:

Defensive Only:Flag of Palestine.svg Palestinian Authority

Intelligence support during April & October Iranian
strikes:

Due to strikes by Iraqi militias (until
2024):

2024 Kerman Bombings:
Islamic State flag.svg Islamic State
Defensive during Iranian Retaliatory Strikes:
Flag of Iraq.svg Iraq
Flag of the United Arab Republic (1958-1971), Flag of Syria (1980-2024).svg Ba'athist Syria


Prosperity Guardian (until

Logo EUNAVFOR OPERATION ASPIDES.png  Aspides (until 2024):
Flag of Europe.svg European Union
Independent Patrols (Red Sea Crisis):
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China [62]
Flag of Egypt.svg Egypt
Flag of India.svg India
Flag of Pakistan.svg Pakistan

Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Saudi Arabia

Syrian Civil War (until 2024):
Flag of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham.svg Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham
Flag of Syria (2025-).svg Southern Operations Room
Flag of Syria (2025-).svg Free Syrian Army
Flag of Syria (2025-).svg Syrian National Army
From 2024:

Flag of Syria (2025-).svg Syria

Twelve Day War:
Flag of the United States.svg United States Flag of Israel.svg Israel

Defensive
only:

2025-26 Iranian protests:
Political groups:
Separatist groups:
Labour, civil, and retiree groups:
  • Free Workers Union of Iran [84]
  • Iranian Writers Association [84]
  • Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers Trade Associations [84]
  • Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Workers Syndicate [84]
  • Coordination Committee to Help Form Independent Labour Organisations [84]
  • Khuzestan Retired Workers [84]
  • Union of Retirees Group [84]
  • Kurdish Women's Organisations [84]
  • Retirees Union [85]
  • Kermanshah Electricity and Metal Association [85]
  • "Stop Executions" [85]
  • "Justice Seekers" [85]
  • Coordination Council for Protests of Contract Oil Workers [85]
  • Coordination Council for Protests of Non-Formal Oil Workers [85]
  • Coordination Council of Nurses Protests [85]
  • "Neday-e Zanan-e Iran" [85]
  • World Iranian Christian Alliance [86]

2026 Iran War:


Anti-Iranian Protestors (outside Iran)

Flag of Iran.svg Iran

Flag of the United Arab Republic (1958-1971), Flag of Syria (1980-2024).svg Ba'athist Syria (until 2024)
Axis of Resistance:Flag of al-Qassam Brigades.svg Hamas
InfoboxPIJ.svg Palestinian Islamic Jihad
Hand drawn PFLP logo.jpg Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine
Flag of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine.svg Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine
Infobox al-Aqsa.png Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades
Flag of Jihad.svg Palestinian Mujahideen Movement
Al-Liwaa.svg Palestinian Freedom Movement
Flag of the Al-Nasser Salah al-Deen Brigades.svg Popular Resistance Committees
PFLP-GC Flag.svg Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – General Command

InfoboxHez.svg Hezbollah
Flag of the Amal Movement.svg Amal Movement [87]
Flag of the Muslim Brotherhood.png Islamic Group [88]

Flag of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party.svg Syrian Social Nationalist Party

Intelligence Support:

Flag of Russia.svg Russia

Syrian Civil War (until 2024):

Flag of the United Arab Republic (1958-1971), Flag of Syria (1980-2024).svg Ba'athist Syria
Flag of Russia.svg Russia
From 2024:
Flag of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party.svg Assadist insurgents

Defensive during Israeli invasion of Lebanon:

Flag of Lebanon.svg Lebanon
Flag of the United Nations.svg UN

Defensive stances on attacks by Israel and allies:

Flag of Lebanon.svg Lebanon
Flag of Yemen.svg Yemen
Flag of Sri Lanka.svg Sri Lanka

Pro-Iranian protestors (outside Iran)

Ongoing:

  • 2026 Iran War: Ongoing [89] [90] [91] [92]
    On 28 February 2026, during the 2026 Iran war, Iran began launching a series of retaliatory strikes on American and Kuwaiti targets within Kuwait.
4
[93] [94]
4

Notes

  1. soldiers not yet deployed in 2016
  2. logistic support and assistance with the naval blockade of Houthi-held territories in October 2016 [44] [45] [46]
  3. training, intelligence, logistical support, weapons, and blockade up to 2017 [48] [49] [50] [51]
  4. The United Kingdom has also undertaken defensive deployments outside of Akrotiri and Dhekelia

References

  1. ar:معركة الرقة
  2. ar:معركة خكيكرة
  3. 1 2 Abu-Hakima, Ahmad Mustafa. "The Siege of Basra (1831)." The Modern History of Kuwait, 1750–1965. London: Luzac &, 1983. 79. Print.
  4. Abu-Hakima, Ahmad Mustafa. "Kuwait and Al-Zubair." The Modern History of Kuwait, 1750–1965. London: Luzac &, 1983. 76-78. Print.
  5. Abu-Hakima, Ahmad Mustafa. "Invasion of Muhammara (1837)." The Modern History of Kuwait, 1750–1965. London: Luzac &, 1983. 80. Print.
  6. ar:عبد الله الثاني الصباح#cite note-2
  7. Abu-Hakima, Ahmad Mustafa. "The Expedition Route, Midhat Pasha in Al-Hasa, Kuwait's Role in the Ottoman Expedition 1871–1873, Abd Allah's Direct Role in the War." The Modern History of Kuwait, 1750–1965. London: Luzac &, 1983. 85-89. Print.
  8. Albaharna, Husain M (1968). The Legal Status of the Arabian Gulf States. ISBN   9780719003325 . Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  9. Abu-Hakima, Ahmad Mustafa. "The Effects of Al-Hasa Expedition on Kuwait." The Modern History of Kuwait, 1750–1965. London: Luzac &, 1983. 89-90. Print.
  10. "( 1903 ) -" . Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  11. "معركة جو لبن" . Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  12. ar:معركة هدية
  13. Slot 2005 , p. 406
  14. Slot 2005 , p. 407
  15. Slot 2005 , p. 409
  16. Slot 2005 406"
  17. "1928 -" . Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  18. Iraq–Kuwait relations
  19. O'Ballance (1979), pp. 201.
  20. Shazly (2003), p. 278.
  21. Rabinovich (2004), pp. 464–465.
  22. Mahjoub Tobji (2006). Les officiers de Sa Majesté: Les dérives des généraux marocains 1956–2006 (in French). Fayard. p. 107. ISBN   978-2-213-63015-1.
  23. Shazly (2003), pp. 83–84.
  24. Cenciotti, David. "Israeli F-4s Actually Fought North Korean MiGs During the Yom Kippur War". Business Insider.
  25. Rabinovich (2004), p. 467.
  26. Morris (2011), p. 437.
  27. "Kuwaiti casualties". kkackm.
  28. "Desert Shield And Desert Storm: A Chronology And Troop List for the 1990–1991 Persian Gulf Crisis" (PDF). apps.dtic.mil. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 April 2019. Retrieved 2018-12-18.
  29. Mazzetti, Mark and Kirkpatrick, David D. (25 March 2015). "Saudi Arabia Begins Air Assault in Yemen". The New York Times . Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  30. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Egypt, Jordan and Sudan ready for ground offensive in Yemen: report". The Globe and Mail . Toronto. 26 March 2015. Archived from the original on 26 March 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  31. Nissenbaum, Dion. "UAE Moves to Extricate Itself From Saudi-Led War in Yemen". The Wall Street Journal.
  32. Dorsey, James (6 July 2019). "UAE Withdraws from Yemen". LobeLog.
  33. "Saudi Arabia's coalition against Yemen's Houthis". Reuters. 26 March 2015.
  34. "Egypt extends participation in Yemen conflict". Reuters. 22 January 2017.
  35. El Masaiti, Amira (7 February 2019). "Morocco re-evaluates role in Saudi-led Yemen war coalition". The Washington Times. Associated Press.
  36. "Senegal to send 2,100 troops to join Saudi-led alliance". Reuters. 4 May 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  37. "Australian mercenary reportedly killed in Yemen clashes". The Guardian. 8 December 2015.
  38. "Use of Mercenaries by the Saudi-led Coalition to Violate Human Rights in Yemen and Impede the Exercise of the Yemeni People's Right to Self-determination". Arabian Right Watch Association. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  39. "Drawn by Saudi cash, Yemeni mercenaries are left high and dry". Middle East Eye.
  40. Martinez, Luis (27 March 2015). "US Rescues 2 Saudi Pilots from Gulf of Aden". ABC News . Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  41. "Daily Press Briefing". United States Department of State. Archived from the original on 6 August 2017.
  42. Beauchamp, Zack (14 October 2016). "Why the hell is the US helping Saudi Arabia bomb Yemen? A brief guide". Vox .
  43. Snyder, Stephen (14 October 2016). "US involvement in the Yemen war just got deeper". The World . PRI.
  44. Kube, Courtney (27 October 2016). "U.S. Officials: Iran Supplying Weapons to Yemen's Houthi Rebels". NBC News.
  45. "U.S. military strikes Yemen after missile attacks on U.S. Navy ship". Reuters. 4 May 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  46. "US special forces secretly deployed to assist Saudi Arabia in Yemen conflict". The Independent. 3 May 2018.
  47. "British support of Saudi Arabian military should shame us all, says SNP MP". HeraldScotland. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  48. "Yemen — and what it means for Pakistan". Daily Times. 30 November 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
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  50. Borger, Julian (5 June 2015). "Saudi-led naval blockade leaves 20 m Yemenis facing humanitarian disaster". The Guardian . Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  51. "North Korea Likely Supplied Scud Missiles Fired at Saudi Arabia by Yemen's Houthi Rebels". Vice News. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
  52. 예멘 반군, 사우디 공격한 미사일은 ‘북한제 스커드’ [The missiles that Yemeni rebels used to attack Saudi Arabia were 'North Korean–made Scuds']. New Daily (in Korean). Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  53. "Gulf Coalition Operations in Yemen (Part 1): The Ground War". Washington Institute.
  54. "Iran giving Houthis 'significant' and 'lethal' support: US envoy". Al Jazeera. 21 April 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  55. "North Korea's Balancing Act in the Persian Gulf". HuffPost. 17 August 2015. Archived from the original on 17 August 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2015. North Korea's military support for Houthi rebels in Yemen is the latest manifestation of its support for anti-American forces.
  56. "North Korea Likely Supplied Scud Missiles Fired at Saudi Arabia by Yemen's Houthi Rebels". Vice News. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  57. "Report: North Korea supplying missiles to Yemen rebels". UPI. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  58. "The September 14 drone attack on Saudi oil fields: North Korea's potential role | NK News". NK News - North Korea News. September 30, 2019.
  59. "Yemen conflict: Al-Qaeda joins coalition battle for Taiz". BBC News. 22 February 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  60. "Al-Qaeda Announces Holy War against Houthis". Yemen Post . 30 January 2011.
  61. Brar, Aadil (22 February 2024). "China sends warships to the Middle East". Newsweek. Archived from the original on 25 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  62. Allowed the use of airspace.
  63. Makoii, Akhtar (12 January 2026). "Armed protesters fight back against Iranian regime". The Telegraph.
  64. "Iran supreme leader says will not yield as protests simmer and US threatens". Reuters. 3 January 2026.
  65. Teller, Neville (30 June 2025). "Is there a chance for regime change in Iran? – opinion". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  66. 1 2
  67. "Iran Braces for More Protests. Here's What to Know". The New York Times . Retrieved 11 January 2026.
  68. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
  69. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
  70. "Iranian Baloch group calls for protests and strikes across Iran". Iran International. 7 January 2026.
  71. "Iran is Cut off from Internet as Protests Calling for Regime Change Intensify". The New York Times . 8 January 2026.
  72. "Iran's protests no longer speak language of reform [OPINION]". Azer News. 9 January 2026.
  73. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Iranian Authorities Intensify Crackdown on Protests with Live Fire, Arbitrary Arrests, and Attacks on Hospitals". Center for Human Rights in Iran . 6 January 2026.
  74. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Iranian labor, civil and retiree groups voice support for protests". Iran Insight. 4 January 2026.
  75. "Iranian Christian alliance urges restraint as protests continue across Iran - Premier Christian News | Headlines, Breaking News, Comment & Analysis". Premier Christian.
  76. Dana Polak (6 October 2024). "Al-Abbas Force". Israel Alma.
  77. "Muslim Brotherhood in Lebanon after Gaza and Hezbollah War". 30 October 2024. Archived from the original on 10 November 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  78. An Iranian drone struck the Kuwait International Airport and the Ali Al Salem Air Base (which houses Italian forces)
  79. An Iranian drone struck the US garrison at Camp Buehring in northeastern Kuwait. Another Iranian missile attack targeted a makeshift operation center in the civilian port of Kuwait. Six US soldiers were killed and others wounded
  80. The Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense reported that 67 Army servicemen were wounded by the current conflict.
  81. The Interior Ministry of Kuwait reported the deaths of two Border guards during an incident at dawn, amid the hostilities with Iran.
  82. "Kuwait says two navy soldiers killed". Reuters . 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  83. Two Kuwaiti border security personnel killed.

Bibliography