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Child killed after shrapnel fell in Kuwait was Iranian; father recalls incident details
11-year-old Elna Abdullah Hussein Nia was buried at Kuwait's Sulaibikhat Cemetery after Ishaa prayer
- PUBLISHED: Thu 5 Mar 2026, 10:19 AM UPDATED: Thu 5 Mar 2026, 2:43 PM
[Editor's Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog amid Israeli, US strikes on Iran for the latest regional developments.]
When shrapnel falls in residential areas during wartime, it does not discriminate between children and the elderly, nor does it choose to harm one nationality over another—a reality recently proven once again in Kuwait amid the ongoing war between the US, Israel and Iran.
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On March 4, 2026, Elna Abdullah Hussein Nia, an 11-year-old Iranian girl, died in Kuwait after succumbing to injuries from shrapnel falling in a residential area as Iran continues to launch attacks in the region. A resident of Kuwait, the young girl was injured in the capital of Kuwait City. After receiving reports of the incident, emergency medical teams responded immediately and arrived at the scene.
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In interviews with local media, Elna's father thanked the Kuwaiti government for their support and the people who flocked to offer their condolences to the bereaved family and help them during this difficult time.
'She was asleep'
Holding back his tears, Elna's father spoke to local media, recalling with a voice full of pain the incidents of the night his daughter was injured then lost her life despite resuscitation efforts.
Elna, which was born in Kuwait, was asleep in her room with her younger sister when the shrapnel fell on their home, the father said. "She was asleep at home with her younger sister beside her. The incident occurred at around 12am. Her sister sustained minor injuries and their mother is fine."
"She was a blessing given to me by God and He took is.. Alhamdulilah for everything," the father said in a broken voice.
'A bird of paradise'
Marzouq Al-Ghanim, Kuwait's former Speaker of the National Assembly (Parliament), shared a video of an interview with the bereaved father, asking God to bestow his mercy on Elna's soul.
"That small soul, extinguished while in a place of safety within the walls of her home, carried none of the world’s burdens—only the purity and serenity of childhood," he said.
Al-Ghanim extend his deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to Elna's parents, praying that God grants their hearts steadfastness, and bestows upon them a patience and tranquility that aids them through this profound loss.
"Kuwaitis consider everyone living in Kuwait to be Kuwaiti. We ask Allah to make her a bird of paradise," he added in an interview with local media.
Elna was buried at Kuwait's Sulaibikhat Cemetery after Ishaa prayer on March 4.
Yasmin Hussein is an Assistant Digital Editor who believes that every news story carries a human element. Her motto is 'get it first, but first get it right'.