Former Khafji Governor Khaled Al-Otaishan Reveals Untold Details of Kuwait Invasion

Former Governor of Khafji, Khaled Al-Otaishan, has unveiled previously undisclosed details about the night Iraq invaded Kuwait, offering a firsthand account of the critical events that transpired in the early hours of August 2, 1990. Speaking on the “Liwan” program, Al-Otaishan described the initial uncertainty surrounding the extent of the invasion. At first, officials believed Iraqi forces had only occupied key military and administrative centers in Kuwait rather than launching a full-scale takeover. However, the situation became undeniably clear when then-Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, arrived at the Khafji border crossing, marking a turning point in the crisis.

According to Al-Otaishan, Sheikh Jaber displayed exceptional composure despite the gravity of the situation. Initially, the Kuwaiti leadership assumed that the Iraqi aggression would be temporary—perhaps lasting only a few hours or a day at most. The Emir was determined to monitor the unfolding crisis from Khafji, but as reports confirmed the rapid advancement of Iraqi forces, his security team urged him to move deeper into Saudi territory for his safety. At that time, Iraqi troops were positioned just one kilometer away from the border, making his presence there highly dangerous. Recognizing the imminent threat, Sheikh Jaber, accompanied by then-Crown Prince Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah and the head of the Kuwaiti National Guard, agreed to relocate to Khafji.

Upon reaching Khafji, Sheikh Jaber’s primary concern remained the safety of Kuwaiti citizens and the ruling family. He insisted on receiving updates regarding their whereabouts and well-being. Al-Otaishan recalled that around 50 members of the Kuwaiti ruling family had also managed to cross into Saudi Arabia, seeking refuge in Khafji. Despite the hospitality extended to him, Sheikh Jaber reportedly ate nothing but yogurt and dates, a testament to his distress and focus on the crisis at hand.

Khafji Declared a Military Zone & Evacuated for Three Months

One of the most critical moments following the invasion was the first Kuwaiti Cabinet meeting in exile, held in Khafji and chaired by Crown Prince Sheikh Saad. The meeting, which included key ministers such as then-Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah (later Emir of Kuwait), focused on security concerns, particularly the potential infiltration of Iraqi intelligence agents posing as refugees. Kuwaiti officials stressed the need for thorough screening measures to prevent any such threats from entering Saudi territory.

Al-Otaishan further revealed that the Saudi leadership had granted him full authority to take any necessary actions to support Kuwaiti refugees. Under his directive:

• Hospitality centers were established.
• Vacant schools were converted into shelters.
• The Al-Birr Charitable Society was assigned to oversee food distribution.
• Prince Mohammed bin Fahd personally provided emergency financial aid to cover the initial costs before official government support arrived.

However, given Khafji’s strategic location near the Kuwait border, Saudi military leadership decided that the city had to be fully evacuated and transformed into a military zone. Al-Otaishan was informed by Saudi Arabia’s military commanders that Khafji would likely become a battleground, requiring defensive preparations. As a result, an order was issued for the evacuation of approximately 65,000 residents, who were transported primarily to Dammam and other Saudi cities via government-arranged buses. For three months, Khafji remained off-limits to civilians as military operations intensified.

The Battle of Khafji: Saudi Forces Defeat an Iraqi Brigade in Eight Hours

One of the most significant battles of the Gulf War unfolded on January 30, 1991, when an entire Iraqi brigade entered Khafji in what was later revealed to be a propaganda maneuver by Saddam Hussein. His goal was to claim that Iraqi forces had successfully penetrated Saudi territory. The brigade occupied the city for 24 hours, but their stay was short-lived.

Saudi military forces swiftly launched a counteroffensive, spearheaded by a battalion of the Saudi National Guard. Despite being outnumbered—since an Iraqi brigade comprises multiple battalions—the Saudi battalion executed a rapid and precise assault. Within just eight hours, Saudi forces engaged Iraqi troops in direct combat, overwhelming them with superior tactics and coordination. The sudden attack threw the Iraqi forces into disarray, forcing them to retreat in chaos.

To reinforce the ground operation, Saudi airstrikes were launched against Iraqi military positions, destroying multiple tanks and eliminating any possibility of a counterattack. Within 24 hours, Khafji was fully liberated, bringing Saddam Hussein’s propaganda campaign to an embarrassing failure.

Before retreating, Iraqi forces planted landmines throughout Khafji and along the border to delay any further advances. A Saudi engineering unit was immediately deployed to clear these mines, a dangerous task that took nearly a month to complete.

Khafji’s Post-War Challenges: Oil Fires & Delayed Civilian Return

Although Khafji was cleared of enemy forces, residents could not return immediately due to a new crisis: Iraq’s deliberate destruction of Kuwait’s oil fields. Saddam Hussein’s forces set hundreds of oil wells on fire, creating massive plumes of thick black smoke that engulfed Kuwait and extended into parts of Saudi Arabia, including Khafji. The hazardous air quality made it impossible for civilians to return until the fires were extinguished, a process that took months.

A Defining Moment in Gulf War History

Al-Otaishan’s revelations provide a rare, firsthand perspective on one of the most pivotal moments in Gulf War history. From the shock of Kuwait’s invasion to the swift Saudi military response, his account underscores the resilience and coordination between Gulf nations in facing regional threats. The decisive role played by Saudi Arabia in sheltering Kuwaiti leadership, managing the refugee crisis, and leading military operations highlights the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to regional security.

The Battle of Khafji, in particular, remains a testament to the skill and determination of Saudi forces, who successfully repelled Iraqi troops within hours, preventing Saddam Hussein from achieving any meaningful territorial gains.

More than three decades later, these events continue to serve as a historic reminder of the Gulf War’s defining moments and the unwavering solidarity between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in the face of aggression.