Five killed in raid as Kuwaitis catch ‘terror leader’

Diana Elias, Kuwait City

The fighting was the latest in a series of clashes between security forces and Islamic militants in Kuwait.

Three terror suspects and three police officers were also wounded in the fighting, in Mubarak Al Kabir, south of Kuwait City.

Three other terror suspects surrendered during the raid, including Amer Khlaif al-Enezi, a wanted militant leader.

Al-Enezi is a former mosque preacher described as a mentor to many young militants here.

Kuwait, a major ally of the US, has been battling Islamic fundamentalists who oppose the presence of US forces in their country.

The shoot-out yesterday was the fourth this month between security forces and suspected terrorists.

The latest operation began early yesterday morning when police raided several buildings in Mubarak Al Kabir and the suspected militants fired on them, according to an Interior Ministry statement. The suspects fled to a house in the al-Qurain neighbourhood, which police then stormed.

The battle killed four of the terror suspects, and a civilian, the statement said.

Last week, the US and British embassies warned their citizens to be vigilant as further militant attacks were possible.