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 It was not clear why the Kuwaitis were in Syria or who abducted
them. Some Gulf Arab citizens have entered Syria to join rebels
fighting the forces of President Bashar al-Assad.
"There were three Kuwaitis kidnapped in Syria. The Foreign Ministry
is following this matter," Kuwait's undersecretary for foreign
affairs Khaled al-Jarallah told reporters late on Wednesday.
Kuwait has been in contact with authorities in Turkey, which borders
Syria, to try to secure their release, he said.
Kuwait's al-Anbaa newspaper reported on Thursday that the kidnappers
had asked for a ransom of 1 million euros ($1.38 million) and that
the three Kuwaitis may have already been transferred to Turkey.
Unlike other Sunni Muslim-ruled states such as Saudi Arabia and
Qatar, Kuwait has not supported sending arms to rebels in Syria
fighting to topple Assad.
However, Kuwaiti citizens have organized private fundraising
campaigns in homes and on social media, something Kuwait says is
difficult to control.
While many of the campaigns have been for humanitarian aid, some
have openly called for funds to arm rebel fighters.
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The issue is sensitive in major oil producer Kuwait, a U.S. ally
that allows more public debate and political meetings than other
Gulf Arab states.
(Reporting by Sylvia Westalll; editing by Susan Fenton)
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