KHAFJI, 10 March 2003 — A besieged border town in the 1990-91 Gulf War, Khafji still remembers the Iraqi invasion of February 1991. But the events of 1991 have steeled the people of Khafji who are unconcerned about their safety in case the United States attacks Iraq and Iraq retaliates.
There are no more bullet marks on the walls of the city. The water tank, which was a landmark of the city and destroyed by the invading Iraqi Army, has been restored. The border post — unmanned on Feb. 27, 1991 when the Arab News Team went to Kuwait — now looks peaceful with dozens of cars on both sides lined up to enter or leave the Kingdom.
Khafji bore the brunt of Iraqi attacks on Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War. For a short while, the city was actually occupied by the invading Iraqi Army, and Saudi armed forces along with other GCC forces fought in the battle of Khafji. Then Joint Commander of the Allied Forces Gen. Khalid ibn Sultan, addressing the international media on the outskirts of Khafji city, promised that it would be the last battle fought on Saudi soil and would never happen again. His press briefing was punctuated by the thunder of a series of frog missile attacks.
Many Iraqi soldiers were then holed up in downtown Khafji. The people of Khafji still believe in the general’s promise that no enemy will ever be allowed on Saudi soil. Their faith in Saudi security and the promise made by a former general calms them in the face of a looming war.
“I will not say that we are not scared. No one loves war. Our proximity to Kuwait makes us more vulnerable. But we are confident of our security forces and as a result there is no exodus from the city,” said Abdullah Al-Ayez, a local resident working in a school here.
All the hotel rooms and furnished apartments in the city are full. “Almost all of them are occupied by Kuwaitis,” said Al-Barrak, manager of a furnished apartment in Khafji.
Those Kuwaitis who have failed to get accommodation in hotels and furnished apartments have set up tents on the outskirts of the city. Some areas have developed into Kuwaiti tent cities.
“It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Khafji is experiencing a mini business boom due to the crisis,” said Ahmad Al-Abqi, a local journalist.
According to unconfirmed reports, there have been large-scale account transfers by Kuwaitis. “Many Kuwaitis have moved their bank accounts from Kuwait to banks in Khafji and other cities in the Eastern Province,” said Al-Abqi.
A National Commercial Bank official would not confirm the report. “We don’t divulge information about our clients,” he said.
Hazza Al-Shammary of Saudi Customs said that there was normal movement on the border between Kuwait and Khafji. However, he admitted that there was more traffic from the Kuwaiti side. “But we cannot say it is an exodus or panic movement. Traffic is normally busy on the border,” he said.
Residents of Khafji say they are worried about the possible war but not scared.
“We are not going anywhere. I don’t think Iraq will attack Saudi Arabia. We are not in this war and therefore there is no reason for Saddam Hussein to launch any counterattack here. But yes, if anything happens in Kuwait we will be affected,” said Hamoud from Khafji.
Khafji is nearly 100 km away from Kuwait City. Expatriates in the city are slightly concerned about their families, but say they have no plans to leave the city.
However, Saudis and expatriates alike are worried about arrangements at hospitals. Saudis say that the hospitals have not been able to provide proper care in peace time and have no contingency plans for emergencies.
