Jihadi John’Linkcauses Kuwait Atpainstopointemwazi’Sradicalization Unease Amongkuwaitis and Easterninfluences
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SUBSCRIPTION SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2015 JAMADA ALAWWAL 16, 1436 AH No: 16452 Heart diseases Harrison Ford India scrape past main cause of survives plane Windies; book death in3 Kuwait crash25 quarter-final48 ‘Jihadi John’ link causes unease among Kuwaitis Min 13º 150 Fils Max 28º Kuwait at pains to point to Emwazi’s radicalization KUWAIT: Reports that Islamic State’s most notorious execu- tioner was born on their soil have stirred deep unease among IS bulldozes ancient Iraq City Kuwaitis about the vulnerability of their country to wars in nearby Iraq and Syria in which some of their Arab allies have become combatants. People within the government and beyond are quick to point out that Mohammed Emwazi appears to have been radi- calized in Britain, the country’s former colonial protector where he grew up as a citizen. But he is not the first high pro- file anti-Western militant from Kuwait: Bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda spokesman Sulaiman Abu Ghaith was a citizen, the architect of the 9/11 attacks Khaled Sheikh Mohammed is believed by many to have been born there as was top Al-Qaeda com- mander in Syria, Muhsin Al-Fadhli. “It’s always shocking to see revelations like this, and it’s unfortunately something no state can totally control. It tar- nishes the reputation of the countries in which people like this were born,” Sheikh Mohammed Al-Mubarak Al- Sabah, a Kuwaiti government minister, told Reuters. “But we could also logical- ly flip the question around: does a person like (Emwazi) represent the true ideals of Britain as a whole? The answer is of course not,” he MOSUL: A bicyclist rides by the destroyed old Mosque of The Prophet Jirjis (PBUH) in central Mosul. Islamic State mili- added. Security officials tants have destroyed the centuries- old Mosque of the Prophet Younis (PBUH) - believed to be the burial place of the acknowledge that youths Prophet Jonah (PBUH)- and the Mosque of the Prophet Jirjis, two revered ancient shrines in Mosul. — AP from Gulf Arab states have Mohammed Emwazi trekked in their hundreds to BAGHDAD: The United Nations con- in New York said of the propaganda fight for Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, a sign of the potency of demned as a “war crime” yesterday film of the destruction that IS will MERS kills 10 the militant group’s declaration of a caliphate. the Islamic State group’s bulldozing likely release. The identification of Emwazi as the masked man wielding a of the ancient city of Nimrud, the He said the site’s guards were knife over Western hostages gives potential recruits a high profile personality with whom to identify and Kuwait’s role jihadists’ latest demolition of Iraqi denied access to Nimrud, which was more in Saudi supporting the US-led fight against Islamic State only increas- cultural treasures. After rampaging founded in the 13th century BC and RIYADH: The MERS virus has killed 10 more people es the appeal for those who feel alienated at home. through Mosul’s museum with was once considered the jewel of in Saudi Arabia over the past week, pushing the The US treasury last year described its ally Kuwait as an sledgehammers and torching its the Assyrian era. Its stunning reliefs death toll above 400, as health officials broaden “epicenter of fundraising for terrorist groups in Syria.” library last month, IS “bulldozed” the and colossal statues of winged bulls their campaign to halt its spread. Saudi Arabia is Kuwaiti financiers - especially those following the strict nearby ruins of Nimrud Thursday, the with human heads guarding palace the country worst-hit by Middle East Respiratory Saudi-style Islam which some say has been on the rise in the tourism and antiquities ministry said. gates filled the world’s museums in Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). country-sent funds openly to hardline factions for years. Antiquities officials said IS mili- the 19th century. A collection of 613 The latest deaths occurred between February 27 Officials and an international watchdog say the state has now tants had moved trucks last week to pieces of gold jewelry, ornaments and March 5, adding to a surge of cases that killed tightened curbs on such financing, but Western concern the site, which overlooks the Tigris and precious stones discovered in a 30 people in February alone. Six of those deaths lingers. River, 30 kilometres (18 miles) south- royal tomb in 1988 has been were in Riyadh, health ministry data show. A total of Scarred by Iraq’s 1990-91 occupation, and by a ringside east of their main hub of Mosul. described as one of the greatest 936 people have been infected with MERS since it seat at the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war, the state of 3.5 million, only “Until now, we do not know to what archaeological finds of the 20th cen- was first identified in the kingdom in 2012, and 402 1.2 million of them Kuwaiti, is fixated on stability and survival extent it was destroyed,” one official tury. of them have died. On Wednesday the health min- and well aware of its dependence on outside powers. said. Nimrud was the latest victim of “Their plan is to destroy Iraqi her- istry said it started a new phase of a public educa- The country normally strives to adopt a conciliatory what appears to be a systematic itage, one site at a time,” said tion campaign to help prevent the spread of the approach in foreign affairs, but is a willing supporter of US- campaign by the jihadists to obliter- Hamdani. “Hatra of course will be virus. backed efforts to fight Islamic State, a position the Emwazi dis- ate Iraq’s rich heritage. next,” he added, referring to a 2,000- Three Filipinos have contracted Middle East res- closures will likely reinforce. Government officials say Kuwait “I’m really devastated. But it was year-old UNESCO-listed site about piratory syndrome while working at separate hos- has provided intelligence, funding and the use of airfields for just a matter of time, now we’re 100 kilometres south of Mosul pitals in Saudi Arabia, the Philippine government attacks by some members of a Western-Arab coalition fight- waiting for the video. It’s sad,” known for its beautifully preserved said yesterday. Two are nurses and the third is a ing Islamic State. Kuwaiti allies Saudi Arabia and the United Abdulamir Hamdani, an Iraqi archae- temples blending Hellenistic, Roman medical technician, said Department of Foreign Arab Emirates have gone further, actually taking part in air Affairs spokesman Charles Jose. — Agencies ologist from Stony Brook University and Eastern influences. —AFP raids, using their own airfields. — Reuters LOCAL SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2015 UN hopes donors’ conference adopts multi-dimensional approach Kuwait III hoped to collect $8.4 billion KUWAIT/BEIRUT/AMMAN: The UN is tabling a new like Gaza reconstruction, Ebola virus and Sahel. approach to address Syrian refugees’ crisis during an upcoming donors’ conference for Syrian people, Lack of hope due in Kuwait on March 31, in yet another bid to The Syrian refugees, over a million of them were address their multi-dimensional needs. children, lack hope of an early solution, said Suffering from lack of funding resources for Gonzalez, and noted that the social fabric of the needy Syrian people, the UN is desperate in facing Syrian society has been undermined as a result. multi-dimensional needs of Syrian people who have “The crisis is not compromising this generation but been either internally displaced (IDPs) or refugees in future ones. The capacity of people in having hope neighboring countries since the conflict broke out and trust is in jeopardy,” he said. in March 2011. Gonzalez has met during his visit with senior To appeal for up to $8.4 billion during the officials from the government, Kuwait Fund for Arab donors’ conference, better known as Kuwait III, the Economic Development (KFAED), the Foreign UN launched the Regional Refugee and Resilience Ministry and Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRSC) as Plan 2015-16 (3RP) late last year in order to address part of the preparation for Kuwait III. suffering of Syrian refugees in host communities in On the other hand, UN Special envoy to Syria neighboring countries at humanitarian and devel- Staffan de Mistura is trying hard to enforce on a opment levels. plan to freeze the fighting in the northern city of Aleppo, aimed seizing every opportunity to build Donors Fatigue trust between conflicting parties. The Syrian conflict is entering its fifth year now with no solution looming in the horizon, thus caus- Sufficient support ing what has become to be known as Donors Meanwhile, UN Undersecretary General for Fatigue, triggering social problems irrelevant to sole Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos expressed hope humanitarian needs. The Syrian refugees are AMMAN: Kuwait Red Crescent Society workers distribute relief aid to Syrian refugees in Lebanon would get sufficient support during the becoming helpless and lack financial resources thus Jordan yesterday.— KUNA forthcoming international conference for Syrian seeking all means to survive, like forcing early mar- $3.9 billion, of which Kuwait contributed $800 mil- Consolidated framework refugees due in Kuwait on March 31. riage of girls and sell basic belongings. lion. Kuwait III is about partnership, he said. UNDP, The 3RP, designed to help the host communities In a statement at end of her visit to Lebanon, “We are very much concerned that four years of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and UN Office for in neighboring countries, provides a consolidated Amos hoped the country would get ample backing crisis is not only challenging conflict resolution the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) framework to address refugee protection needs, during the forthcoming Kuwait-hosted convention process, but the way we address the impact of the are mobilizing humanitarian and development humanitarian needs of most vulnerable, and longer- to help most impoverished people in Lebanon, crisis,” said Gustavo Gonzalez, Sub-Regional communities to make sure the conference succeeds term socio-economic impacts of Syria crisis on including citizens and Syrian refugees.