Middle East Kingdoms

State of Kuwait
AD 1899 - Present Day

Modern Kuwait is a small constitutional monarchy on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf, with Saudi Arabia to the south and Iraq to the north. The capital is Kuwait City. The country's name in Arabic is Daulat al-Kuwait (little fort).

1888 - 1899

Kuwait is taken from Ottomans by the British empire and made a Protectorate on 23 January.

1916 - 1918

The British-backed Arab Revolt is proclaimed with an attack on Medina (where the Prophet Mohammed died in AD 632). The revolt liberates much of the Middle East from Ottoman control, with Britain and the Hashemite Arabs taking control of Iraq and Kuwait, Palestine, and the Transjordan, and France controlling Lebanon and Syria. On 30 October 1918, Turkey signs an armistice at Mudros, on the Aegean island of Lemnos.

1961

Kuwait is granted full independence from Britain on 19th June.

1977 - 2006

Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah

Died 15 Jan aged mid-70s after 5 years of ill health.

1990

The First Gulf War is triggered when Kuwait is occupied by Iraq. A United Nations coalition army under the control of the USA is assembled in Saudi Arabia, and it forces the Iraqis out, causing them heavy losses.

2006

Saad-al-Abdullah al-Sabah

Distant cousin. Health poor, replaced by parliament after 10 days.

2006 - Present

Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah

Distant cousin.

Nawaf al-Ahmed al-Sabah

Crown prince. Born 1938.