ABU DHABI Ñ Kuwait has declared more than 25 percent of the country
as being off-limits to civilians on the eve of a huge military exercise with
the United States.
Kuwait's Defense Ministry said the northwest region of the sheikdom will
be closed to all but military personnel from Nov. 2 as a joint
exercise with the United States gets underway. The region borders Iraq, which is the
target of a U.S. and British military buildup in the Persian Gulf.
On Oct. 8, a U.S. soldier was shot dead and another was injured in an Al
Qaida-linked attack during a marines exercise on Failaka island, located 20
kilometers east of Kuwait City. The attack led to an exchange of accusations
between Kuwait and the United States over responsibility for security during
the exercise.
A ministry statement said the closure is meant to protect civilians and facilitate
troop movements and live ammunition training, Middle East Newsline reported.
The closed-off area extends from the Abdali center in the North to the
Mutla'a center in the South. The width of the exercise area begins from the
Ali Al Salem air base in the east to the Al Ta'awun police station in the
west.
Brig. Gen. Ahmad Al Rahmani, director of the military's Moral Guidance
and Public Relations Department, said those who live and work in the area
would be relocated. He said the only those working in government offices,
farms or energy production sites in the northwest would be allowed entry.
Al Rahmani said the evacuation of such a large area was required because
of the size and intensity of the live-fire exercise. He said the Interior
Ministry will be responsible for maintaining checkpoints to ensure that
unauthorized personnel do not enter the area.
"Such training requires a large area as forces will practice with live
ammunition and use heavy equipment," Al Rahmani said. "We have to safeguard
people's lives."
Kuwaiti military commanders said the exercise was not connected to any
U.S.-led war against Iraq. But on Wednesday Kuwait's parliament will meet in
special session to review the sheikdom's defensive measures against any
Iraqi attack.
On Sunday, about 500,000 students in 750 schools in the sheikdom began
civil defense drills to test for readiness against any Iraqi attack. The
drills will continue until Nov. 11.
