UN Submission Sparks Tensions
Kuwait and Iraq are locked in a fresh dispute over sea borders after Baghdad submitted new coordinates and a map to the United Nations, claiming waters that Kuwait considers its own, including the Fasht al-Qaid and Fasht al-Aij shoals. Gulf Arab countries have expressed strong support for Kuwait, underscoring the strategic importance of northern Gulf waterways and offshore resources.
Regional Allies Call for Dialogue
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman have all backed Kuwait, urging respect for international law. Egypt also called for diplomatic negotiations, emphasizing adherence to existing agreements to preserve regional stability. Saudi officials noted that parts of Iraq’s claim overlap with a shared Saudi-Kuwaiti maritime area, further complicating the situation.
Historical Disputes and Broader Implications
Iraq maintains that its new coordinates are consistent with international law, while pointing out that Kuwait submitted maps to the UN in 2014 without consultation. The dispute touches on long-standing issues over the Khor Abdullah waterway and surrounding shared zones, including a 2012 navigation agreement later overturned by Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court in 2023.
The conflict highlights ongoing Gulf disagreements over maritime borders and resources. Meanwhile, Kuwait has conducted a review of nationality files since 2024, revoking tens of thousands of citizenships to protect national identity and prevent fraud, though critics warn this may leave some individuals stateless.
