Tensions Flare Over UN Maritime Submission
A fresh dispute has erupted between Kuwait and Iraq after Baghdad submitted updated maritime coordinates and a map to the United Nations, claiming areas that Kuwait considers its own. Kuwaiti officials say the submission encroaches on waters around the Fasht al-Qaid and Fasht al-Aij shoals, reigniting long-standing tensions in the strategically important northern Gulf, where shipping lanes and offshore resources make borders highly sensitive.
Regional Support and Calls for Dialogue
Several Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman, have expressed strong support for Kuwait and urged both sides to respect international law. Saudi Arabia highlighted that parts of Iraq’s submission overlap with a shared Saudi-Kuwaiti maritime zone. Egypt also called for a diplomatic solution and adherence to agreements to maintain regional stability.
Iraq, meanwhile, insists its claims are lawful and that the new coordinates reflect its maritime rights. Iraqi officials noted that Kuwait had submitted its own maps to the UN in 2014 without consultation, further complicating the dispute.
Lingering Disputes and Domestic Measures
The conflict touches on older issues surrounding the Khor Abdullah waterway and adjacent shared zones. A 2012 navigation agreement in the area was overturned by Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court in 2023 after legal challenges, leaving unresolved questions about rights and access.
Separately, Kuwait has conducted a wide review of nationality files since 2024, revoking citizenship from tens of thousands of individuals. Authorities say this protects national identity and prevents fraud, while critics warn it risks leaving some people stateless, adding another layer of domestic tension amid the regional maritime dispute.
