Kuwait beefs up security against IS threat

Kuwait has undertaken new security measures to combat the militants of Islamic State (IS) Sunni extremist group in the Gulf nation, media reported.

Kuwaiti Deputy PM and Interior Minister Shaikh Mohammed al-Khalid announced a new security team comprising 80 officers from the criminal investigation department and national security sector, to pursue the extremist group, MENA news agency reported citing Al Anbaan newspaper Saturday. The security situation in Kuwait is under control, the source said.

Last week, Kuwaiti authorities arrested 11 people for supporting the IS in their battles in Syria and Iraq and contributing financially to the movement. All suspects would be prosecuted for promoting terror-related activities.

The rebels were under the scrutiny of the government security agency after it received information that IS cells had started to make moves in response to the decision by the international community to form a global alliance against the Sunni militant group.

IS previously known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has seized large areas of Iraq and Syria. Estimates say the group could have up to 30,000 fighters. The extremist group has committed heinous crimes and threatened all communities, including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds, Christians and Yazidis, during its advances.