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Kuwait City
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Nation / PlaceKW

Kuwait City

Capital and largest city of Kuwait.

On 17 July, Kuwait asked residents to ration water and power after strikes hit the Shuaiba plant, making infrastructure resilience a live concern for Kuwait City.

Last refreshed: 29 October 2026

Key Question

How exposed is Kuwait City to strikes from across the Gulf?

Timeline for Kuwait City

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Background

Kuwait City is the capital and largest city of Kuwait, with about 3.4 million people in a 2025 estimate. It lies on the south shore of Kuwait Bay, on The Persian Gulf, and is the country's political, cultural and economic centre. Its landmarks include the National Assembly building, completed in 1982.

The city was hit repeatedly in the first week of the 2026 war. Shrapnel struck a major oil refinery near the city on 2 March, and the United States closed its embassy there the next day. On 7 March Iranian drones hit fuel tanks at Kuwait International Airport and the Public Institution for Social Insurance headquarters in the city.

The city has been a target before. The 1983 bombings hit the US and French embassies and the airport. The men jailed for them, known as the Kuwait 17, escaped when Iraq invaded in 1990.

Key Issues
Water security

Kuwait City faces water strain

On 17 July, Kuwait's electricity ministry asked residents to ration water and power after a strike on the Shuaiba plant. For the capital's households, the war arrived at the peak of summer.

The pressure persisted on 19 July, when the plant was struck again and set alight. The facility combines power generation with desalination, so damage can constrain two essential services at once. Kuwait gets about 90 per cent of its drinking water from desalination, so every strike on the plant reaches the capital's taps.

Common Questions
Was Kuwait City attacked in the 2026 Iran war?
Yes. In early March 2026 shrapnel hit a major refinery near the city, and Iranian drones struck fuel tanks at Kuwait International Airport and a social insurance building in the city.Source: Lowdown
Why did the US close its embassy in Kuwait City?
The US closed its embassies in Riyadh and Kuwait City in early March 2026, evacuating staff and suspending consular services, after the IRGC declared embassies military targets.Source: Lowdown
What were the 1983 Kuwait bombings?
On 12 December 1983 coordinated bombs hit the US and French embassies, the airport and other sites in Kuwait. The 17 men held over them, the Kuwait 17, escaped when Iraq invaded in 1990.Source: Wikipedia
Is Kuwait City the capital of Kuwait?
Yes. Kuwait City is the capital and largest city of Kuwait, on the south shore of Kuwait Bay.Source: Wikipedia
Source Material
1983 Kuwait bombingsKuwait City

Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 29 October 2026. Editorial standards.