Ghabra.. "Under the Authority"

The First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef, affirmed that there would be no leniency toward properties in violation of regulations, emphasizing that all necessary legal measures would be taken against them, including the demolition of buildings that are structurally unsound or dilapidated whenever necessary to safeguard lives and property.

This statement was made in a speech by Al-Yousef, as conveyed in a press release issued by the Ministry of Interior following his direct supervision of a security operation conducted in the Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh area. For the first time, the operation involved participation from all four security and military entities: the Army, the Ministry of Interior, the National Guard, and the General Fire Service, with the aim of identifying violations on buildings, encroachments on state property, and the evacuation of non-compliant and structurally unsafe buildings and plots.

Al-Yousef stated that the security operation carried out in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh marks the beginning of a continuous phase and will not be limited to this area alone; it will extend to cover all governorates of the country. He noted that Kuwait’s reputation is a top priority and that ensuring the security and safety of everyone living on its soil is a responsibility that brooks no compromise.

He added that his observations during the operation in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh revealed the severity of environmental and health pollution in the area. He pointed out that among its residents were workers from hospitals and restaurants, which could facilitate the transmission of diseases to them and subsequently to their workplaces, posing a risk to public health.

The statement explained that the operation aims to address housing units that lack safety and security standards and are overcrowded with single individuals and families, in order to prevent any disasters or accidents. It also aims to identify and apprehend individuals violating residency regulations, lawbreakers, and those engaged in unlicensed commercial activities in private residences and operations that fail to meet regulatory requirements.

The statement clarified that the operation was carried out under the direct supervision of Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, Major General Abdulwahab Al-Wahab. Participating entities, each according to their jurisdiction, began by cordoning off and securing the area, cutting off services to non-compliant buildings, identifying unlicensed activities and residency violations, addressing encroachments on state property, and issuing necessary violation notices.

The participating entities included representatives from the Army, the Ministry of Interior, the National Guard, the General Fire Service, the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Public Authority for Manpower, the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition, the Kuwait Municipality, and the Medical Emergency Management Department of the Ministry of Health.

Regarding shelter arrangements, the Ministry of Interior announced that fully equipped shelter sites have been prepared to accommodate those evacuated from non-compliant buildings. These sites provide all necessary amenities for families and expatriate communities, in consideration of humanitarian concerns. The ministry stressed that security operations will continue in various parts of the country in accordance with the law, to protect lives and public property and to safeguard community security.