An American-Kuwaiti journalist, Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, has been detained by authorities in Kuwait since March 2, reportedly after commenting on videos and images related to the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called for his immediate and unconditional release, stating that he is understood to be facing charges including spreading false information, harming national security, and misusing his mobile phone. The CPJ described these accusations as “vague and overly broad” and routinely used to silence independent journalists.
Shihab-Eldin, a journalist who has contributed to the BBC, New York Times, and Al Jazeera, was visiting his family in Kuwait when he was last seen. On March 2, he shared on his Substack account a verified video allegedly showing a US F-15 fighter jet crashing near Kuwait City, along with photos he claimed depicted an American pilot who had ejected and landed in the al-Jahra area.
There has been no immediate comment from Kuwaiti authorities regarding the detention. However, Kuwait and other Gulf Arab states have previously stated they have detained hundreds of people for sharing footage documenting Iranian missile and drone attacks on their territory during the war. Kuwait’s military and health ministry have reported casualties from Iranian attacks, and six US service members have also been killed there, with three US fighter jets mistakenly shot down by Kuwait’s air defenses.
CPJ regional director Sara Qudah stated, “Journalism is not a crime, and Shihab-Eldin’s case reflects a broader pattern of using national security laws to stifle scrutiny and control the narrative.” Earlier this month, the Kuwaiti interior ministry urged the public to “refrain from spreading rumors or sharing unverified videos and images,” warning that such actions would be “dealt with firmly.” Furthermore, a recent decree by Kuwait’s emir stipulated prison sentences of up to 10 years for anyone disseminating false news or rumors related to military entities with the intent of undermining confidence in them.
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