Kuwait’s Emir, Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, has appealed to Saudi Arabia, asking it to pressure Pakistan into agreeing to place Kuwait under Pakistani protection in exchange for payment.

The appeal came after Pakistan reportedly rejected a direct Kuwaiti request submitted earlier this month.

Reuters had previously reported that Bahrain and Kuwait had sought security protection from Pakistan, before Pakistan reportedly declined the requests.

Over the past two days, thousands of Kuwaitis have left Kuwait for Saudi Arabia through the Al-Khafji and Al-Ruqi border crossings. Hotels and furnished apartments in Al Khobar and Dammam have reportedly reached full occupancy with displaced Kuwaitis.

Kuwaiti citizens staying in hotels said they had lost electricity and water in their homes in Kuwait and were unable to cope with the extreme heat. They also expressed fears for their safety after Kuwait became a centre for US military operations.