US Embassy In Kuwait Receives Threats from Pro-Iran Group

The United States Embassy in Kuwait has issued a security alert in response to threats made by the pro-Iran militant group Alwiyat al-Waad al-Haq (AWH).

AWH is considered to be affiliated with the quasi-military organization Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, which is under the control of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The group, in its fifth threat announcement since 2021, has deemed American bases in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates as legitimate targets.

A statement from the embassy confirmed the threats and said all activity was being downgraded to "essential" only.

"The embassy is aware of threats made on social media by Alwiyat al-Waad al-Haq, a militia group in Iraq, against US military bases in Kuwait," it said. "As a result, the US Embassy in Kuwait is limiting its activity on US military bases to essential and official events only. US citizens are advised to remain alert."

AWH cited their actions as retaliation for what they described as "crimes of the Zionist entity and America," as well as in honor of the "martyrs of beloved Palestine," amid the Hamas-Israel conflict which broke out on October 7. Thousands of militia from Iran-backed Hamas invaded Israel's borders, killing over 1,500 and taking at least 220 hostages, including babies and elderly men and women. Israel has responded with a heavy air bombardment and vowed to continue until Hamas is completely defeated.

According to the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, in January 2021, AWH claimed responsibility for a drone attack on a royal palace in Riyadh. In February 2022, the group also claimed responsibility for four drone attacks in the United Arab Emirates, with one of the drones targeting the Burj Khalifa in Dubai and being intercepted.

Historically, AWH has primarily focused its attacks on Saudi Arabia, particularly due to its involvement in the conflict with Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.