Deadly Remnants: Kuwait’s Killer Mines Persist from the Gulf War: Analysis

The Israeli military has confirmed that it has placed landmines along parts of the Gaza-Israel fence in response to an attack by Hamas on October 7. However, the use of landmines has long-lasting consequences, particularly for civilians. Even after conflicts have ended, landmines and unexploded ammunition continue to pose a threat, as evidenced by the situation in Kuwait following the invasion by Iraqi forces in 1990-1991 under Saddam Hussein.

Despite a successful military campaign by a US-led international coalition, the aftermath of the Gulf War has seen ongoing casualties caused by mines and unexploded ordnance in Kuwait. It is estimated that Iraqi soldiers laid around two million landmines throughout Kuwait, leaving behind significant quantities of unexploded ammunition. While efforts to clear the mines have made progress over the years, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) reports that Kuwait’s desert areas continue to be affected, with an estimated 350,000 landmines still undiscovered.

The impact of these landmines on civilians, particularly migrant workers, is significant. Many individuals, like Sunil Kumar, came to Kuwait with dreams of exploring the world but found themselves living in desolate areas with the constant threat of landmines, along with other dangers like snakes and scorpions. Kumar, a 24-year-old Indian shepherd, expressed concern that in the event of an accident, his body might not be repatriated to India due to his migrant worker status. This highlights the vulnerability of these workers, who often face labor rights abuses, including delayed or unpaid wages and long working hours.

In analyzing the article, there are a few factors to consider. The article relies on sources such as the Israeli military’s statement about planting landmines and the United Nations Mine Action Service for information on the situation in Kuwait. While these sources are generally considered credible, it is worth noting that UNMAS did not respond to a request for an interview, which might impact the comprehensiveness of the information presented.

Overall, the article presents factual information about the use of landmines in the Gaza-Israel conflict and highlights the ongoing consequences of landmines in Kuwait. However, it is important to approach this information with caution and further investigate the claims made. There may be potential biases in the article, such as the focus on the vulnerability of migrant workers, which could influence the reader’s perception of the issue. The prevalence of fake news and misinformation in the current political landscape further complicates the reception and interpretation of articles like this one, potentially leading to the misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the topic.

Source: Aljazeera news: Killer mines in Kuwait keep Gulf War alive and deadly