UN Submission Sparks Fresh Tensions
A new maritime claim submitted to the United Nations by Iraq has reignited a long-running sea border dispute with Kuwait. Baghdad’s filing includes updated coordinates and a map outlining areas it considers within its maritime boundaries. Kuwait argues the claim overlaps with its own territorial waters, including the Fasht al-Qaid and Fasht al-Aij shoals, raising concerns about sovereignty and control over key waterways in the northern Gulf.
The contested waters are strategically significant, both for shipping access and potential offshore resources, making the disagreement particularly sensitive.
Gulf Neighbours Rally Behind Kuwait
Several Gulf nations have publicly backed Kuwait’s position. Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman issued statements supporting Kuwait and calling for adherence to international law.
Saudi Arabia noted that parts of Iraq’s submission appear to overlap with a maritime zone jointly shared by Riyadh and Kuwait. Meanwhile, Egypt urged both sides to resolve the matter diplomatically and avoid further escalation.
Iraq maintains that its new coordinates are consistent with its legal maritime rights. Iraqi officials also pointed out that Kuwait submitted its own maritime maps to the UN in 2014 without consulting Baghdad.
Long-Standing Issues Resurface
The latest dispute also touches on unresolved tensions surrounding the Khor Abdullah waterway and nearby shared areas. A 2012 agreement governing navigation in the channel was overturned in 2023 by Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court following legal challenges, adding another layer of complexity to the relationship.
The disagreement highlights broader, lingering maritime boundary issues across the Gulf, where access to sea lanes and natural resources remains a sensitive topic.
Separately, Kuwait has been undertaking a wide-ranging review of nationality files since 2024, revoking citizenship from tens of thousands as part of what officials describe as an effort to safeguard national identity and combat fraud. Critics, however, warn that the policy risks leaving some individuals without citizenship.
