Kuwait fixes loopholes in mandatory military service roll-out

Kuwait is amending loopholes in its conscription law to ensure that all eligible men aged 18 and over serve in the military, joining several Gulf states that have introduced mandatory national service for male citizens.

This week, Kuwait issued a decree amending Law No 20 of 2015 concerning national military service to "remedy some of the procedural gaps" under the old regime and ensure clarity regarding the duties of citizens.

All Kuwaiti men must now report for national service within 180 days of their 18th birthday, starting with those born on 1 January 2012.

"The new decree addresses observations that emerged during implementation, as the Authority deemed it necessary to review and amend some provisions of the existing law to achieve the desired effectiveness," the Kuwaiti army announced in a statement on Monday.

The decree also stipulates those who are exempt from national service, including those currently serving in the army, police, national guard or public or Kuwait Petroleum Corporation fire services. Other exemptions include 'only sons' and those born before 2012.

There are fines and potential jail time for those who do not register for national service within 160 days after their 18th birthday, or who fail to report to authorities during times of war or civil strife.

Kuwait introduced national service in 2017 to bolster national unity and military readiness, 15 years after suspending it.

Citizens who are unable to present a certificate of national service completion can be barred from public and private sector jobs.

Kuwait had conscription during the Gulf War in 1990, but its army was quickly overrun by a huge and battle-hardened Iraqi military, with a huge international force liberating the country a year later.

While it is not thought to be related, Kuwait is currently engaged in a border dispute with neighbouring Iraq.

The UAE and Qatar both introduced conscription for men in 2014, with Doha expanding the criteria in 2018. National service for women is optional in both countries. In 2016, the UAE extended national service to a year.