Kuwaiti Journalist Detained After Controversial Iran War Remarks

The Kuwaiti journalist Ahmed Shihab‑Eldin has been detained by authorities in the country after making comments about disturbing images related to the Iran-Iraq war, according to human rights watchdogs.

Shihab‑Eldin, who is known for his work in Qatar, has not posted online or been seen in public since early March. Watchdog groups, including the Gulf Center for Human Rights, have raised concerns about his well-being and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

Authorities in Kuwait have not provided any official explanation for Shihab‑Eldin's detention, leaving many unanswered questions about the case. Human rights advocates have called for his immediate release and for the government to disclose the reasons for his arrest.

The journalist's comments that reportedly led to his detention were made in reference to disturbing images related to the Iran-Iraq war, a conflict that lasted from 1980 to 1988 and resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties on both sides.

Shihab‑Eldin, who has a reputation for critical journalism and commentary on regional issues, is believed to have been targeted for his remarks, which may have been interpreted as controversial or sensitive by Kuwaiti authorities.

The detention of Shihab‑Eldin has raised concerns about press freedom and free speech in Kuwait, a country that is generally considered to have a more open and tolerant media environment compared to some of its neighbors in the Gulf region.

Human rights organizations and press freedom advocates have called on the Kuwaiti government to respect the rights of journalists and provide transparency about the reasons behind Shihab‑Eldin's detention. They argue that the case is a concerning development that could have chilling effects on free expression in the country.