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Summary More than 1,000 stateless Arabs demonstrated in Kuwait demanding citizenship, and dozens were arrested by police.
The protest in Jahra, northwest of Kuwait City, was the first in the oil-producing Gulf Arab state since a wave of unrest began sweeping across the Middle East in December. Security forces dispersed the demonstration, using smoke bombs and water cannon after protesters refused warnings to leave. There were no reports of casualties.The stateless Arabs, longtime residents of Kuwait known as bedoun, were demanding citizenship, free education, free healthcare and jobs, benefits available to Kuwaiti nationals. Citizenship in Kuwait entitles holders to generous welfare benefits.
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