Gulf States Back Kuwait in Iraq Maritime Dispute

Kuwait has garnered widespread support from Gulf Arab states in a escalating maritime border dispute with Iraq, after Baghdad submitted new coordinates and a map to the United Nations that Kuwait claims encroach on its territorial waters. The submission, lodged recently, has prompted Kuwait to summon Iraq's chargé d'affaires and accuse Iraq of violating its sovereignty over key maritime areas, including the Fasht al-Qaid and Fasht al-Aij shoals. Neighboring countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman, have issued statements backing Kuwait and urging Iraq to withdraw the filing in line with international law.

The Gulf Cooperation Council, representing the six member states, addressed the issue on Monday through Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. In a statement, Albudaiwi described the map and coordinates as an infringement on Kuwait's sovereignty over its maritime zones and elevations. He called for resolution through the principles of international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, emphasizing bilateral agreements between Kuwait and Iraq. "The GCC and the Republic of Iraq are bound by deep-rooted...