Kuwait revokes Alaa Hussein’s citizenship for collaborating with Saddam Hussein during the 1990 invasion. The decision reflects Kuwait’s firm stance on national security.
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In a decisive move reaffirming Kuwait’s zero-tolerance policy on treason, the government has officially revoked the citizenship of Alaa Hussein, a former Kuwaiti officer who collaborated with Saddam Hussein during the 1990 invasion.
The decision, announced by decree, comes over 30 years after Hussein’s role in heading a pro-Iraqi government during one of Kuwait’s darkest periods.
The government also revoked the citizenship of Muhammad Hamad Fad Al-Juwaid, another former officer who was found guilty of aiding Iraq during the invasion.
Both men violated Kuwait’s Nationality Law, which allows the revocation of citizenship for individuals who support a foreign country at war with Kuwait.
Alaa Hussein’s Betrayal During the 1990 Invasion
Alaa Hussein’s betrayal dates back to August 1990 when Iraqi forces, led by Saddam Hussein, invaded Kuwait.
The occupation led to a puppet government in Kuwait, with Hussein appointed as its leader.
Known as the “Interim Kuwaiti Government,” the administration was installed to legitimize Iraq’s control of the country.
Hussein’s actions were widely seen as treasonous.
In 1993, he was sentenced to death in absentia by a Kuwaiti court.
Although his sentence was later reduced to life imprisonment, Hussein has lived in exile ever since, a fugitive from justice.
Muhammad Al-Juwaid’s Involvement
Along with Hussein, Muhammad Al-Juwaid also faced consequences for his actions during the invasion.
As a sergeant in the Kuwaiti army, Al-Juwaid provided intelligence to Saddam Hussein’s regime, a betrayal that led to his arrest in 2003.
He was part of a spy network that cooperated with Iraq, further complicating Kuwait’s efforts to resist the occupation.
Kuwait’s Legal Basis for Revoking Citizenship
The decision to revoke citizenship is based on Article 14-2 of Kuwait’s Nationality Law.
This law allows the government to withdraw citizenship from individuals who assist foreign powers in times of war.
Given Hussein and Al-Juwaid’s collaboration with Saddam Hussein’s regime, their actions fell squarely within the law’s criteria for treason.
A Kuwaiti government official stated, “This decision reflects our commitment to national security and justice. We will not tolerate those who turn against their country.”
The Legacy of the 1990 Iraqi Invasion
For Kuwaitis, revoking Alaa Hussein’s citizenship represents a long-overdue act of justice.
The 1990 invasion left deep scars, with many citizens suffering under Iraqi rule during the seven-month occupation.
Thousands of Kuwaitis were imprisoned, tortured, or killed, and the revocation of Hussein’s citizenship is seen as a final rejection of his betrayal.
Conclusion: A Strong Message Against Treason
Kuwait’s decision to revoke the citizenship of Alaa Hussein and Muhammad Al-Juwaid sends a clear message: acts of treason, especially during times of national crisis, will not be forgotten.
Decades after the invasion, Kuwait continues to uphold the values of loyalty and justice as it moves forward.
As the country reflects on its past, the government’s firm action reinforces the importance of national unity and accountability.
Trivia
The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990 triggered the Gulf War, where a U.S.-led coalition liberated Kuwait in 1991 after seven months of occupation.