Kuwait: Information on Possibility of Remains of 180 Kuwaitis in 'Al-Khamisiyah'

Kuwait has called on Iraq to take serious and concrete steps to fulfill its commitments regarding the disclosure of the fate of Kuwaiti prisoners and missing persons, as well as those of nationals of other countries, and the recovery of Kuwaiti property, including the National Archives. Kuwait emphasized that continued delays in implementing these obligations necessitate actual measures and tangible results. This was stated in Kuwait’s address, delivered by Assistant Undersecretary of State for Prisoners and Missing Persons Affairs, Ambassador Rabee Al-Adwani, at a session convened by the UN Security Council on the situation between Kuwait and Iraq.

Al-Adwani revealed that available information and testimonies indicate the possible presence of remains of between 150 and 180 Kuwaiti missing persons at several potential burial sites in Al-Thumamah. He clarified that an Iraqi witness provided documented statements containing information about potential burial sites, coordinates, and names of individuals inside and outside Iraq who may possess additional information; however, follow-up on these testimonies has not yet been completed.

He added that a joint technical assessment of one potential site in the Al-Thumamah area was completed with the participation of the Iraqi side and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), but the Iraqi side requested further study despite its technical team inspecting the site since early September 2026.

Al-Adwani stated that the first report issued by the UN Secretary-General on October 1 confirmed that no progress had been made during the period covered by the report, and that 315 individuals remain missing, including 308 listed on the list submitted by Kuwait. He explained that the challenge, more than 35 years later, is not limited to the scarcity of new information, but also includes the failure to fully follow up on known information and testimonies, as well as delays in implementing measures and commitments agreed upon years ago.

He pointed out that repeated Iraqi commitments were received to facilitate interviews with witnesses and former officials believed to possess important information about the fate of the missing, yet none of these commitments have been translated into actual measures. He added that among these commitments was one enabling the ICRC to interview nine officers detained from the former Iraqi regime, interviews that have not yet been conducted.

He noted that a former official of the Iraqi regime, who held the position of so-called Director of Kuwaiti Security during the Iraqi invasion, was supposed to be interviewed to obtain information he may possess regarding detainees, the missing, and the National Archives. However, his execution in February 2026 prevented the interview, despite the Iraqi side’s approval.

Ambassador Al-Adwani warned that delaying interviews with known witnesses leads to the permanent loss of potential information sources, stressing the necessity of implementing agreed-upon interviews and removing administrative obstacles that prevent their completion. He said that families still hold onto hope of learning the truth, and the least that can be offered to them is not allowing opportunities to uncover the fate of their loved ones to be lost. He emphasized the need to work seriously to end their suffering, affirming that it is their right to know, and it is our duty not to stop until they know.