Gulf States defends ‘’Kuwaiti sovereignty’’ in Iraq’s waterway dispute

Gulf States defends ‘’Kuwaiti sovereignty’’ in Iraq’s waterway dispute
2026-02-23T06:07:55+00:00

Shafaq News- Kuwait

The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain backed Kuwait in its ongoing maritime dispute with Iraq after Baghdad submitted new sea boundary coordinates to the United Nations, a step Kuwait considers a violation of its sovereign waters.

The disagreement focuses on the Khor Abdullah waterway, a narrow but strategically vital channel between the two neighbors that has long strained political relations, even after diplomatic ties were restored in 2003 following the fall of Saddam Hussein.

Kuwait’s foreign ministry indicated late Saturday that Iraq’s submission included coordinates and a map extending to Fisht Al Eid and Fisht Al Eij, which Kuwait regards as ''undisputed territory.''

The ministry also summoned Iraq’s charge d’affaires to deliver a formal protest note, urging Baghdad to respect historical ties and international legal frameworks, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, as well as bilateral arrangements between the two countries.

Last week, Iraq’s foreign ministry confirmed that the new coordinates were submitted in accordance with international maritime law. The filing defines Iraq’s internal waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, and exclusive economic zone, outlining areas where it exercises sovereign rights.

The Gulf States issued separate statements Sunday reaffirming support for Kuwait. The UAE criticized the Iraqi submission and warned it could affect Kuwait’s maritime rights, while calling for dialogue through diplomatic channels to preserve regional security and stability.

Saudi Arabia noted it was closely monitoring developments, pointing out that the Iraqi coordinates include areas adjacent to the Saudi-Kuwaiti divided zone, where both countries share natural resources. Riyadh described the move as a violation of Kuwait’s sovereignty over its maritime areas and water elevations.

Qatar also backed Kuwait, labeling the coordinates an infringement on its sovereignty and urging respect for international legal principles. Meanwhile, Bahrain called on Iraq to consider the longstanding relations between the two countries and their peoples.

After Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 833 in 1993 defining the land border between the two states, while maritime demarcation was left to bilateral negotiations. Tensions rose in September 2023 when the Federal Supreme Court of Iraq annulled a maritime agreement regulating navigation in the Khor Abdullah waterway following a lawsuit filed by lawmakers. Kuwait, supported by Gulf States, has since challenged the court ruling, while Baghdad maintains it respects international commitments but does not interfere in judicial decisions.

Read more: Khor Abdullah: A waterway entangled in sovereignty disputes and legacy of invasion

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