Rising Tensions Over Northern Gulf Waters
Kuwait is facing renewed friction with Iraq after Baghdad submitted new maritime coordinates and a map to the United Nations, claiming areas Kuwait says are its own, including the Fasht al-Qaid and Fasht al-Aij shoals. The move has reignited long-standing tensions in the northern Gulf, where shared waterways and offshore resources remain strategically important.
Gulf Arab states quickly voiced their support for Kuwait. Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman emphasized respect for international law and urged both sides to maintain stability in the region.
Iraq Pushes Back
Baghdad maintains that its new coordinates comply with international law and reflect Iraq’s maritime rights. Iraqi officials also noted that Kuwait submitted its own UN maps in 2014 without consulting Iraq, highlighting the complexity of overlapping claims.
The dispute touches on long-standing issues around the Khor Abdullah waterway and adjacent shared zones. A 2012 agreement governing navigation there was overturned by Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court in 2023 after legal challenges, further complicating relations. Saudi Arabia pointed out that parts of Iraq’s submission also affect a jointly held Saudi-Kuwaiti maritime area.
Calls for Diplomacy and Regional Stability
Other Gulf states and Egypt have urged both Kuwait and Iraq to resolve their differences through dialogue and uphold existing agreements. The row is seen as part of lingering disputes across the Gulf over maritime boundaries and resources, with historical tensions still unresolved.
Meanwhile, Kuwait has been reviewing nationality records since 2024, revoking citizenship from tens of thousands of individuals as part of an effort to safeguard national identity and prevent fraud. Critics warn, however, that the measures risk leaving some people stateless.
