Kuwaiti army allows women in combat roles – but without guns

Defence ministry says women joining military need permission of male guardian and must wear head covering

Kuwaiti women are angry after the military, having allowed female soldiers to take combat roles, decided they need the permission of a male guardian and banned them from carrying weapons.

Activists have decried the policy as one step forward, two steps back" after the defence ministry also decided that women in the armed forces, unlike civilians, must wear head coverings.