Al Sawaber

Al Sawaber, also known as Sawabir (Arabic: الصوابر), is an old and historically significant district situated within the Sharq area of Kuwait City, the capital of Kuwait. It encompasses the sixth block of Sharq and holds a rich past in the city's urban and cultural landscape. Historically, Al Sawaber was prominent for its extensive plot of subsidized apartment complexes, which served as home to many residents, including individuals of Al-Ahsa origin and members of the Al-Azmi tribe. It also housed the headquarters of Kuwait's Ministry of Information, contributing to the birth of several famous media personalities. The district played a notable role during the Iraqi Invasion of 1990-1991, with some residents actively participating in the Kuwaiti Resistance by secretly broadcasting news and footage to the outside world. The area is also home to the Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq Mosque, one of the country's oldest Shiite mosques and the target of a tragic terrorist attack in 2015. After years of discussions and incidents like fires, the Sawabir apartment complexes were eventually appraised by the government and demolished in 2019. Consequently, the district is now largely empty, featuring shops, mosques, towers, administrative buildings, and other amenities along its edges. Despite the changes, Al Sawaber remains a district with deep historical roots and cultural importance in Kuwait City.