Kuwait Condemns BBC Report on Anniversary of Iraqi Invasion

Coalition forces enter Kuwait in March 1991. Asharq Al-Awsat
Coalition forces enter Kuwait in March 1991. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Kuwait Condemns BBC Report on Anniversary of Iraqi Invasion

Coalition forces enter Kuwait in March 1991. Asharq Al-Awsat
Coalition forces enter Kuwait in March 1991. Asharq Al-Awsat

Kuwait has expressed condemnation of what it called “historical fabrications” made by the British Broadcasting Corporation in an Arabic program broadcast on the anniversary of Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990.

In the program, BBC alleged that up until 1920, Kuwait was part of Iraq.

But the Kuwaiti Ministry of Information issued a statement on Thursday, rebuffing BBC’s “fabrications and allegations” on the country’s sovereignty.

The ministry “regretted” that BBC presenter Rania Al-Attar’s program “Trending” had fabricated allegations about Kuwait’s historic sovereignty, and “violated professional rules, distorting historic facts.”

“Such false claims and serious mistakes are utterly unacceptable, especially when this comes from an international media outlet, which is supposed to observe professional criteria, and to clarify, not distort, facts,” said the statement.

It drew question marks on the timing of such claims, which coincided with the 28th anniversary of Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait.

The ministry said it “has the right to pursue any entity or institution that deliberately commits this historic distortion” of facts.



Syrian President Begins Gulf Tour Following Easing of International Sanctions

A handout photo made available by the UAE's Presidential Court shows President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Emirate of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) and Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa (L) shake hands during their meeting in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 07 July 2025. EPA/THE UAE PRESIDENTIAL COURT /HANDOUT
A handout photo made available by the UAE's Presidential Court shows President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Emirate of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) and Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa (L) shake hands during their meeting in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 07 July 2025. EPA/THE UAE PRESIDENTIAL COURT /HANDOUT
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Syrian President Begins Gulf Tour Following Easing of International Sanctions

A handout photo made available by the UAE's Presidential Court shows President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Emirate of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) and Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa (L) shake hands during their meeting in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 07 July 2025. EPA/THE UAE PRESIDENTIAL COURT /HANDOUT
A handout photo made available by the UAE's Presidential Court shows President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Emirate of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) and Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa (L) shake hands during their meeting in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 07 July 2025. EPA/THE UAE PRESIDENTIAL COURT /HANDOUT

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has begun a tour of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, marking his second visit to the region and his first since most international sanctions on Syria were lifted.

The trip, which began in the United Arab Emirates, underscores Damascus’s push to reintegrate economically and diplomatically into the Arab world after more than a decade of isolation.

According to Syria’s state news agency SANA, the tour aims to bolster economic cooperation and attract Gulf investments to support Syria’s national reconstruction and development plans.

Al-Sharaa arrived in Abu Dhabi on Monday, where he was received by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two leaders held official talks focusing on post-war recovery, economic partnership, and infrastructure development.

Speaking during the meeting, al-Sharaa said Syria has “turned the page on war and division” and is now focused on building “strategic partnerships” with its Gulf neighbors. He praised the UAE’s role in supporting regional stability and expressed interest in learning from the Emirati model in sustainable development, digital transformation, and clean energy.

For his part, Sheikh Mohamed reaffirmed the UAE’s full support for Syria’s efforts to restore stability and rebuild its war-torn economy. He stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral ties, especially in key sectors such as infrastructure, investment, and technology.