Live

In Pictures

Gallery

A Kuwaiti island frozen in time

Failaka Island, where hundreds of people packed up and left 25 years ago, is steeped in remnants of the Iraqi invasion.

Before the Iraqi invasion, this space was used as an outdoor garden for major concerts. Today, the clearing is overgrown and littered with fallen brush. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
Before the Iraqi invasion, this space was used as an outdoor garden for major concerts. Today, the clearing is overgrown and littered with fallen brush. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
By Megan O'Toole
3 Aug 2015

Failaka Island, Kuwait – About 20km off the coast of Kuwait City, tiny Failaka Island stands as a constant reminder of the Iraqi invasion a quarter-century ago.

Prior to the Gulf War, Failaka was reportedly home to about 2,000 residents, but they fled when the Iraqis invaded and most did not return. Over the years, the homes and offices they left behind have crumbled, many still scarred with bullet holes from the war.

Today, much of the island lies empty and in ruins, although a small tourism industry has emerged – with boat trips, overnight accommodations and cafes springing up on Failaka for curious sightseers. Failaka is also still used today for military exercises by the Kuwaiti army.

Visitors have scrawled graffiti throughout the hallway of this abandoned school. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
Visitors have scrawled graffiti throughout the hallway of this abandoned school. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
Advertisement
Failaka Island's old electrical plant, which ceased operations after the Iraqi invasion, has been left to rust. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
Failaka Island's old electrical plant, which ceased operations after the Iraqi invasion, has been left to rust. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
This house was struck by a missile during the war, according to one of Failaka's few residents. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
This house was struck by a missile during the war, according to one of Failaka's few residents. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
An estimated 2,000 people left the island during the Iraqi invasion, and most never returned. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
An estimated 2,000 people left the island during the Iraqi invasion, and most never returned. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
Possessions such as vehicles and furniture were left behind. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
Possessions such as vehicles and furniture were left behind. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
There are still some people living on Failaka today, but mostly it has become a spot for curious sightseers. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
There are still some people living on Failaka today, but mostly it has become a spot for curious sightseers. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
Advertisement
Arabic verses were carved into the wall of this home, which now stands empty. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
Arabic verses were carved into the wall of this home, which now stands empty. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
In some areas of the island, it appears as though residents could return home at any moment, but these homes have long been abandoned. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
In some areas of the island, it appears as though residents could return home at any moment, but these homes have long been abandoned. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
Evidence of the Gulf War is everywhere on the island. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
Evidence of the Gulf War is everywhere on the island. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
There are several mosques throughout Failaka that, like this one, have been left to crumble. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
There are several mosques throughout Failaka that, like this one, have been left to crumble. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
The walls of many buildings are scarred with bullet holes. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
The walls of many buildings are scarred with bullet holes. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
A small section of the island has turned into a military graveyard, where old Iraqi tanks were left behind after the war. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
A small section of the island has turned into a military graveyard, where old Iraqi tanks were left behind after the war. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
The vehicles have been baking in the desert sun for the past 25 years. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
The vehicles have been baking in the desert sun for the past 25 years. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
The war claimed thousands of casualties, including Iraqis, Kuwaitis and allied forces. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
The war claimed thousands of casualties, including Iraqis, Kuwaitis and allied forces. [Megan O'Toole/Al Jazeera]
More from Gallery

In Pictures: Israeli forces storm Al-Aqsa compound

Israeli police chase a cameraman covering the raid on Palestinians at Al-Aqsa compound. [Ammar Awad/Reuters]

Photos: Jordan in the grip of ‘severe’ drought

Rains were massively reduced, totalling just 60 percent of normal fall, an expert said [Khalil Mazraawi/AFP]

In Pictures: ‘Garden of Eden’ marshes threatened by sewage

Wastewater is discharged into the Iraqi marshes in the southern district of Chibayish. [Asaad Niazi/AFP]

Photos: Palestinians vow to save Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood

Israeli security forces detain a Palestinian amid ongoing confrontations as Palestinian families face eviction in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem. [Ahmad Gharabli/AFP]
Most Read

Palestinians report several killed in Israeli air raids on Gaza

Relatives of a Palestinian who was killed by Israeli air raids launched on the Gaza Strip [Mohammed Salem/Reuters]

Melinda Gates met divorce lawyers when Epstein ties revealed: WSJ

Melinda and Bill Gates announced their decision to divorce after 27 years of marriage in a May 3 joint statement posted simultaneously to their Twitter accounts [File: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg]

World reacts after Israeli forces wound hundreds in Al-Aqsa raid

Palestinian protesters run from Israeli security forces amid clashes in Jerusalem's Old City [Emmanuel Dunand/AFP]

US Navy seizes huge weapons cache in Arabian Sea

Weapons seized by the US Navy are seen on board the guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey on Saturday [US Navy via AP]