Kuwait’s Rulers: From Sheikh Sabah I to Nawaf Al-Ahmad

According to the Kuwaiti constitution’s Article 4 and the Succession Law’s Article 6, the Emir must be from the lineage of Mubarak Al-Sabah (Asharq Al-Awsat)
According to the Kuwaiti constitution’s Article 4 and the Succession Law’s Article 6, the Emir must be from the lineage of Mubarak Al-Sabah (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Kuwait’s Rulers: From Sheikh Sabah I to Nawaf Al-Ahmad

According to the Kuwaiti constitution’s Article 4 and the Succession Law’s Article 6, the Emir must be from the lineage of Mubarak Al-Sabah (Asharq Al-Awsat)
According to the Kuwaiti constitution’s Article 4 and the Succession Law’s Article 6, the Emir must be from the lineage of Mubarak Al-Sabah (Asharq Al-Awsat)

With the passing of Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Kuwait bids farewell to its 16th ruler, marking the end of a 267-year era since the first leader of the Al-Sabah family assumed power in 1756.

The Kuwaiti cabinet Saturday named Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah as Emir, to succeed the late ruler, pursuant to the provisions of the Kuwaiti constitution.

Sheikh Sabah bin Jaber Al Sabah, born at the beginning of the 18th century, was the first ruler of the Al-Sabah family in Kuwait.

He assumed leadership of the Gulf nation following a tribal alliance from 1756 to 1776.

Sheikh Sabah was the inaugural leader of Kuwait, marking the commencement of the political history of the Al Sabah dynasty, which has held the leadership of Kuwait since 1756.

The leadership continued through his descendants, including Sheikh Mubarak Al Sabah “the Great” (the seventh ruler, reigning from 1896 to 1915), who is regarded as the true founder of the state.

Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Al Sabah, the eleventh ruler of Kuwait, assumed the reins of power on February 25, 1950, until his passing on November 24, 1965.

On June 19, 1961, Kuwait gained its independence from Britain, and Sheikh Abdullah, the man of independence, signed the Declaration of Independence with the British Government Chief Political Resident in the Arabian Gulf, Sir George Middleton, on behalf of the Kuwaiti government.

Sheikh Abdullah, a champion of independence, established the parliamentary system for the state.

During his tenure, the constitution was ratified, and the current constitution was issued after independence on November 11, 1962.

It officially came into effect on January 29, 1963.

Kuwait had issued the first written constitution and established a consultative council in 1921.

The Gulf country formed an elected legislative council in 1938.

The Kuwaiti constitution currently outlines the candidates eligible for the Emirship, adhering to a 1921 document initiated by locals after the country’s ninth ruler.

According to the constitution’s Article 4 and the Succession Law’s Article 6, the Emir must be from the lineage of Mubarak Al-Sabah.

In case of a vacancy, the Crown Prince is declared Emir.

Constitution Article 60 mandates the Emir to swear allegiance to respecting the constitution, safeguarding people’s freedoms, interests, and national independence.



185,000 Yemenis to Benefit from KSrelief-Funded Project

An active presence of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) in all humanitarian aspects within Yemen (United Nations)
An active presence of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) in all humanitarian aspects within Yemen (United Nations)
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185,000 Yemenis to Benefit from KSrelief-Funded Project

An active presence of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) in all humanitarian aspects within Yemen (United Nations)
An active presence of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) in all humanitarian aspects within Yemen (United Nations)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), launched a vital $2.25 million project to improve sanitation services for over 185,000 people in Maarib, including host communities and internally displaced persons.
This 12-month initiative aims to provide essential sanitation and hygiene support through enhanced facilities and strengthened local waste management capacity, fostering safer, healthier living conditions and building long-term resilience for communities heavily impacted by Yemen’s ongoing conflict.
Abdusattor Esoev, IOM’s Chief of Mission in Yemen said, “This project is a lifeline for the people of Maarib, who are facing some of Yemen’s most challenging conditions.”
He added that with hundreds of thousands struggling to access basic sanitation, this initiative provides immediate relief while laying the groundwork for lasting, community-led solutions.
“By providing critical support, we are not only meeting urgent needs but also helping communities regain a sense of dignity, safety, and stability,” Esoev said.
Largest concentration of displaced people
As the area with Yemen’s largest concentration of displaced people, Maarib has become the country’s largest host of internally displaced persons, sheltering nearly 1.6 million people who have fled conflict, insecurity, and deteriorating living conditions across the country.
Once a governorate of 350,000 people, Maarib’s population has now surged to over two million, placing an immense strain on its infrastructure and basic services.
This unprecedented magnitude of displacement has led to overcrowded displacement sites and heightened pressure on local resources, leaving many without access to adequate sanitation, clean water, and waste management systems.
Al Jufainah site alone, Yemen’s largest displacement settlement, hosts more than 73,000 people, many of whom rely on external aid to meet their most basic needs.
Coordinated Response
Recognizing the strain on local resources and the urgent need for expanded sanitation services, IOM, with KSrelief’s substantial funding, is implementing a coordinated response to address these critical needs.
Planned interventions include the construction of 200 household latrines, the rehabilitation of 600 cesspits, and the provision of essential equipment to enhance local waste management.
The project will further support Maarib’s Hygiene Improvement Fund (HIF) with the provision of garbage and vacuum trucks to strengthen waste collection and fecal sludge management, ensuring cleaner, safer environments.
By increasing local capacity and infrastructure, this initiative provides immediate relief and promotes long-term resilience and self-sufficiency for Maarib’s communities.
This partnership with KSrelief is a continuation of its sustained commitment to supporting IOM’s humanitarian efforts in Yemen, where millions face acute needs.
As the project progresses, IOM will continue working closely with local authorities to ensure the delivery of effective, sustainable sanitation and hygiene solutions that protect public health, support social stability, and offer hope to those most affected by Yemen’s ongoing crisis.