Al Jahra
Encyclopedia
Al Jahra is a city located 32 kilometres (19.9 mi) north-west of Kuwait City
in Kuwait
. Al Jahra is the capital of the Al Jahra Governorate of Kuwait as well as the surrounding Al Jahra District which is agriculturally based. Encyclopædia Britannica recorded the population in 1980 as 67,311. However, since the Gulf War
, the population has appeared to have declined, with a population of 14,658 people recorded in 1995 and an estimate of 24,281 as of 2009.
in 1920, a conflict between Kuwaiti and Saudi forces. Today there is a national monument commemorating the battle. The conflict was settled in 1922 when King Abdul Aziz al-Saud
recognized the independence of Kuwait in exchange for territory.
During the Gulf War
, the outskirts of Al Jahra was also the site of an infamous shootout with the Allied destruction of a stalled Iraqi convoy as it retreated up Mutla Ridge
on Highway 80
between February 25 and 26, 1991. The US Army received orders by General Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr. to not let anybody in or out of Kuwait City and to effectively blockade the retreating Iraqi convoys within a 100-mile radius. He ordered the dispatching of many Apache helicopters of the Tiger Brigade of the US army's second armored division and 2nd marine division armed with anti-tank missiles to block the Iraqis. Schwarzkopf commented in 1995 on the military action:
The onslaught that followed the orders resulted in 60 miles of wreckage of destroyed Iraqi tanks, ammunitions trucks, civilian vehicles and ambulances and mutilated soldiers, with over 2000 military and civilian vehicles annihilated. Bob Dogrin of the Los Angeles Times
described the carnage,
Dogrin later reported that a US Army intelligence officer, Major Bob Nugent who was involved in the search for Iraqi documents amongst the wrecked convoy remarked, "Even in Vietnam, I didn't see anything like this". The highway has since become notoriously known as the "Highway of Death
".
Although the Iraqi forces were subdued, they destroyed a number of buildings outside Kuwait City too, such as a satellite antenna a short distance east of Highway 80 between the Al-Mutala Ridge and the Iraqi border at Abdaly.
Some of Kuwait's most noted families are from Al Jahra including Al Oraifan, Al Qahs, Al Ayar, Al Fowzan, Al Hajraf, Al Saeed, Al Kooh, Al Habishi, and Al Debbah.
was forced to resign from her post as health minister following a fire in a hospital which killed two patients.
Then on August 15, 2009 a fire broke out
at a wedding in Al Jahra. At least 49 people were killed and about 80 others wounded when the grooms' 23-year-old first wife, sought revenge for her husband's second marriage, poured petrol on a tent where women and children were celebrating and set it on fire. Within three minutes the whole tent, which had only one exit and did not meet fire safety regulations, was engulfed in flames, trapping many inside. It was the deadliest civilian disaster in Kuwait in the last 40 years.
by U.S. and British forces. Today there is a blue sign at the Multa'a Ranch turnoff reading, "God Bless U.S. Troops". The surrounding area is desert but tents are often seen located along the highway. The nearest airport is at Kuwait International Airport
.
. They play at the 25,000 capacity Al Shabab Mubarak Alaiar Stadium
. They have won the Kuwaiti league, under the old name of Kuwaiti Premier League
once in 1990. They participated in the Kuwaiti Premier League 21 times during the 2007-2008 season. Al Jahra have reached the Kuwait Emir Cup
Final twice in 1996 and 2002, when they lost to Al Arabi 1-2 and Kuwait Club
0-1 respectively.
Khaima Mall in Al Jahra also contains a notable fish market.
Kuwait City
-Suburbs:Although the districts below are not usually recognized as suburbs, the following is a list of a few areas surrounding Kuwait city:Al-Salam ""السلام"" -Economy:...
in Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
. Al Jahra is the capital of the Al Jahra Governorate of Kuwait as well as the surrounding Al Jahra District which is agriculturally based. Encyclopædia Britannica recorded the population in 1980 as 67,311. However, since the Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
, the population has appeared to have declined, with a population of 14,658 people recorded in 1995 and an estimate of 24,281 as of 2009.
History
Al Jahra was once dominated by agricultural land and began as a small oasis village. Historically it became known as a notable trading point for camels and a stopping place on the way to Kuwait City. It gradually grew into a town and the historic Red Fort (Qasr Al-Ahmar) of Al Jahra was built. Al Jahra was the site of the Battle of JahraBattle of Jahra
Battle of Jahra was a battle during the Kuwait-Najd Border War. The battle took place in Al Jahra, west of Kuwait City on October 10, 1920 between Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah ruler of Kuwait and Ikhwan followers of ibn Saud, king of Saudi Arabia....
in 1920, a conflict between Kuwaiti and Saudi forces. Today there is a national monument commemorating the battle. The conflict was settled in 1922 when King Abdul Aziz al-Saud
Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia
King Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia was the first monarch of the Third Saudi State known as Saudi Arabia. He was commonly referred to as Ibn Saud....
recognized the independence of Kuwait in exchange for territory.
Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
, the outskirts of Al Jahra was also the site of an infamous shootout with the Allied destruction of a stalled Iraqi convoy as it retreated up Mutla Ridge
Mutla Ridge
The Mutla Ridge is located in the Mutla district of the Al Jahra Governoate.-History:During the Gulf War, the Iraq forces were going to launch bombs while they were on the ridge to threaten Saudi Arabia...
on Highway 80
Highway of Death
The Highway of Death refers to a six-lane highway between Kuwait and Iraq, officially known as Highway 80. It runs from Kuwait City to the border town of Safwan and then on to Basra....
between February 25 and 26, 1991. The US Army received orders by General Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr. to not let anybody in or out of Kuwait City and to effectively blockade the retreating Iraqi convoys within a 100-mile radius. He ordered the dispatching of many Apache helicopters of the Tiger Brigade of the US army's second armored division and 2nd marine division armed with anti-tank missiles to block the Iraqis. Schwarzkopf commented in 1995 on the military action:
The onslaught that followed the orders resulted in 60 miles of wreckage of destroyed Iraqi tanks, ammunitions trucks, civilian vehicles and ambulances and mutilated soldiers, with over 2000 military and civilian vehicles annihilated. Bob Dogrin of the Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
described the carnage,
Dogrin later reported that a US Army intelligence officer, Major Bob Nugent who was involved in the search for Iraqi documents amongst the wrecked convoy remarked, "Even in Vietnam, I didn't see anything like this". The highway has since become notoriously known as the "Highway of Death
Highway of Death
The Highway of Death refers to a six-lane highway between Kuwait and Iraq, officially known as Highway 80. It runs from Kuwait City to the border town of Safwan and then on to Basra....
".
Although the Iraqi forces were subdued, they destroyed a number of buildings outside Kuwait City too, such as a satellite antenna a short distance east of Highway 80 between the Al-Mutala Ridge and the Iraqi border at Abdaly.
Some of Kuwait's most noted families are from Al Jahra including Al Oraifan, Al Qahs, Al Ayar, Al Fowzan, Al Hajraf, Al Saeed, Al Kooh, Al Habishi, and Al Debbah.
Fires
A number of damaging fires have been known to have occurred in recent times in Al Jahra. On 25 August 2007, politician Massouma al-MubarakMassouma al-Mubarak
Massouma al-Mubarak is Kuwait's first female minister, sworn in on June 20, 2005. She was Minister of Planning and Minister of State for Administrative Development. Massouma al-Mubarak was educated in the United States and is a professor of political science....
was forced to resign from her post as health minister following a fire in a hospital which killed two patients.
Then on August 15, 2009 a fire broke out
2009 Kuwait wedding fire
The 2009 Kuwait wedding fire was an arson attack that occurred during a wedding ceremony in Jahra, Kuwait on August 15, 2009. At least 57 people were killed and about 90 others wounded when the groom's 23-year-old EX-wife, Nasra Yussef Mohammad al-Enezi, to take revenge for her husband's second...
at a wedding in Al Jahra. At least 49 people were killed and about 80 others wounded when the grooms' 23-year-old first wife, sought revenge for her husband's second marriage, poured petrol on a tent where women and children were celebrating and set it on fire. Within three minutes the whole tent, which had only one exit and did not meet fire safety regulations, was engulfed in flames, trapping many inside. It was the deadliest civilian disaster in Kuwait in the last 40 years.
Transport
Al Jahra is located 32 kilometres (19.9 mi) north-west of Kuwait City and is connected by a series of ring roads. Highway 80 connects the city to Abdaly on the Iraqi border. The highway has become known as "The Highway of Death" due to its involvement in the Gulf War when the Allied troops destroyed an Iraqi convoy. The road was repaired during the late 1990s, and was used in the initial stages of the 2003 invasion of Iraq2003 invasion of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...
by U.S. and British forces. Today there is a blue sign at the Multa'a Ranch turnoff reading, "God Bless U.S. Troops". The surrounding area is desert but tents are often seen located along the highway. The nearest airport is at Kuwait International Airport
Kuwait International Airport
Kuwait International Airport is located in Farwaniyah, Kuwait, south of Kuwait City. It serves as hub for Jazeera Airways and Kuwait Airways. A portion of the airport complex is designated as Al Mubarak Air Base, which contains the headquarters of the Kuwait Air Force, as well as the Kuwait Air...
.
Sport
The main football team is Al Jahra (football club)Al Jahra (football club)
Al Jahra is a Kuwaiti professional football club based in Jahra City. They won the Kuwaiti league once, in 1990. They participated in the Kuwaiti Premier League 21 times, most recently in the 2007-2008 season...
. They play at the 25,000 capacity Al Shabab Mubarak Alaiar Stadium
Al Shabab Mubarak Alaiar Stadium
Al Shabab Mubarak Alaiar Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Jahra, Kuwait. It is currently used mostly for football matches, on club level by Al Jahra of the Kuwaiti Premier League. The stadium has a capacity of 17,000 spectators....
. They have won the Kuwaiti league, under the old name of Kuwaiti Premier League
Kuwaiti Premier League
The Kuwaiti Premier League is the top division of the Kuwait Football Association league pyramid system. It was created in 1961. Al Arabi holds the best record in the competition, winning it 16 times...
once in 1990. They participated in the Kuwaiti Premier League 21 times during the 2007-2008 season. Al Jahra have reached the Kuwait Emir Cup
Kuwait Emir Cup
The Emir Cup is a Kuwaiti football competition created in 1962. The Emir Cup also called kass el ameer is the last football competition held in the Kuwaiti football season...
Final twice in 1996 and 2002, when they lost to Al Arabi 1-2 and Kuwait Club
Kuwait SC
Kuwait Sporting Club is a Kuwaiti professional football club. They have won the Kuwaiti Premier League 10 times, with the most recent one coming in 2008. Kuwait SC also has 23 trophies to their name in Kuwaiti Club Football history. Kuwait SC plays in Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium in Al Asimah,...
0-1 respectively.
Khaima Mall in Al Jahra also contains a notable fish market.
