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Drone Attack Triggers Fire at Kuwait’s Mina Al-Ahmadi Refinery, No Casualties Reported

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation confirms emergency teams are working to contain the blaze at one of the country’s largest oil processing facilities as regional tensions escalate

KUWAIT CITY — April 3, 2026 — A drone attack targeted Kuwait’s Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery early on Friday, April 3, sparking fires in several operational units, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) confirmed, as the month-long conflict in the Middle East continued to expand across critical energy infrastructure in the Gulf region .

The state-owned oil company said emergency and firefighting teams were immediately deployed to contain the blaze and prevent further spread, according to a statement carried by the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) . No injuries were reported, and all necessary precautionary measures have been taken to ensure staff safety and safeguard facilities .

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The Kuwait National Guard said radiation levels remain normal nationwide, dismissing social media reports of a potential radioactive leak, adding that monitoring is ongoing around the clock in coordination with relevant authorities .

Recurring Attacks on Critical Infrastructure

The Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery, one of Kuwait’s largest oil processing facilities capable of handling approximately 730,000 barrels of oil per day, has been targeted multiple times since the regional conflict began on February 28 . The facility was previously hit by drone attacks on March 19 and March 20, which also caused fires in certain units without resulting in casualties .

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Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said it is coordinating with the Environment Public Authority to monitor air quality in surrounding areas, with no negative environmental impact recorded so far .

Regional Tensions Escalate

The attack on Kuwait’s refinery comes amid heightened regional tensions following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran that began on February 28 . Iran has responded by launching missile and drone attacks at Israel and neighboring Gulf nations that host U.S. military assets, causing casualties and infrastructure damage while disrupting global markets and aviation .

Saudi Arabia said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed seven drones in the past few hours, according to the Saudi Press Agency . Kuwait also repelled multiple missile and drone attacks overnight, with explosions heard across parts of the capital resulting from successful interceptions .

Global Energy Markets Impacted

The attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure have contributed to global oil price volatility, with Brent crude trading above $116 per barrel as of Friday . Kuwait, a founding member of OPEC, produces over three million barrels of crude per day, with hydrocarbons contributing an estimated 90 to 95 percent of the country’s export earnings.

The Strait of Hormuz—a critical chokepoint through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil normally passes—remains effectively closed to most shipping since early March, further straining global energy supplies .

Ongoing Conflict

The US-Israeli war on Iran entered its 35th day on Friday, with Iran and its allies continuing exchanges of fire with Israel and the United States . Strikes have expanded beyond military targets to civilian and industrial infrastructure across the Gulf, raising concerns over global energy supplies and maritime security .

As of Friday afternoon, emergency teams continued efforts to contain the blaze at the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery, with no further updates on the extent of damage or expected timeline for full operational restoration.


SOURCES / INPUTS

Qatar News Agency: Fires Erupt at Kuwait’s Mina Al-Ahmadi Refinery After Drone Attack

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Akhtar Badana

Akhtar Badana can be reached at https://x.com/akhtarbadana

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