Kuwaiti military cadet punch-up in Sudan sparks controversy

Kuwaiti military cadet punch-up in Sudan sparks controversy
Several Kuwaiti cadets were attacked in Sudan this week by their classmates, sparking controversy in the Gulf state and an inquiry into the circumstances of the brawl.
2 min read
15 April, 2016
File Photo: The fight has sparked angry responses from Kuwaiti media [Getty]

A group of Kuwaiti military cadets were recently injured during a violent brawl with fellow classmates at their university in Sudan, prompting Kuwait to form a committee to look into the incident.

Fourteen Kuwaiti trainee servicemen were attacked with "sharp objects" by Sudanese students this week in Khartoum, the attackers also shouted insults against Kuwait, local media has reported.

In response, the Kuwaiti military said on Wednesday that a delegation had been sent to Sudan to find out the reason for the fight and make sure the first year student officers were safe.

"The fight between students in a sister state was over a disagreement on points of view. The situation is now under control," the Kuwaiti military said on Twitter.

The military also said that the Sudanese were cooperating with the committee to get to the bottom of the punch-up.

Kuwait's al-Anbaa newspaper took a markedly serious tone regarding the incident.

"It is unacceptable that such an incident could go unnoticed," the paper wrote.

"History will never forget Sudan's disgraceful stance of supporting former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait in 1990. We demand a serious and firm apology to the students that will preserve Kuwait's dignity."

"The blood of our children is not cheap," it added.