Kuwait mourns former footballer killed serving border force as war grips region

Fahad Al Majmad, who had just played his final match before retirement, died in the line of duty

Fahad Al Majmad won three international caps for Kuwait. Photo: fahadalmejmed

Kuwait on Monday mourned former national team footballer Fahad Al Majmad, who was killed while serving the country as a border guard as Gulf states face attacks from Iran.

Al Majmad, 33, played his farewell match in February after 12 years with Kuwaiti club Al Salmiya. He won three international caps for Kuwait.

He was serving as a border guard when he was killed in the early hours of Sunday, along with fellow officer Lt Col Abdullah Al Sharrah. Kuwait's Interior Ministry did not give details of how they died. At least three people have been killed in Kuwait as the country comes under missile and drone attacks from Iran.

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Funerals for the two men were held on Monday, with Kuwait's Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahd Yousef Al Sabah among those paying their respects. Police officers carried the caskets to a cemetery west of Kuwait City.

Kuwaiti officers carry the caskets of two the border guards killed in the line of duty. AFP

Mourners “expressed immense pride and gratitude for the profound sacrifices made by the men of our armed forces”, state news agency Kuna reported. The former footballer was a major in Kuwait's General Directorate of Land Border Security.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed and the country's Rulers sent condolences to Kuwait, state news agency Wam reported. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, also offered condolences in calls with Kuwaiti ministers. Sheikh Abdullah “strongly condemned the unprovoked Iranian missile attacks on the United Arab Emirates, the state of Kuwait and several other sisterly countries”, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Al Majmad's club also expressed sympathies. The former defender's contract with Al Salmiya expired in July but he was granted a farewell match against Al Arabi in February. “It's a gesture I deeply appreciate and will never forget,” he wrote in his final Instagram post.

Kuwait brought back conscription in 2017 and recently tightened the law on military service. Under amendments approved last month, every Kuwaiti who turns 18 must report to the army within 180 days.

About 13,500 American military personnel are stationed in Kuwait, making the country a target for attacks after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran. In one incident, a young girl died after being hit by falling shrapnel in Kuwait City. Two army personnel have also been killed.